WRITING TASK

Question

Automated Vehicles (AVs) are becoming more common. Technology plays a large part in driverless vehicles.

Think about the ideas in the two passages, and then write an explanatory essay in your own words about the effects technology is having on driving.

Be sure to use information from BOTH texts in your explanatory essay. Write your answer in the space provided.

Before you write, be sure to:

think about ideas, facts, definitions, details, and other information and examples you want to use;
think about how you will introduce your topic and what the main topic will be for each paragraph;
develop your ideas clearly and use your own words, except when quoting directly from the source texts;
be sure to identify the sources by title or number when using details or facts directly from the sources.
Now write your explanatory essay in the space provided. Be sure to:

use information from the two texts so that your essay includes important details;
introduce the topic clearly, provide a focus, and organize information in a way that makes sense;
develop the topic with facts, definitions, details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic;
use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion;
clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts;
use clear language and vocabulary to inform about the topic;
provide a conclusion that follows the information presented; and
check your work for correct grammar, usage, capitalization, spelling, and punctuation.
Please use two line spaces (using the "enter" key twice) between each paragraph.

PASSAGE 1: The Next Big Thing
By Tess Wallace

It’s become a rite of passage in the United States. Somewhere around the age of sixteen, teenagers often get their driver’s license and move one step closer to adulthood. Thanks to the invention of the automobile this phenomenon has been commonplace for the last century. Teens get licensed and often find new freedom and independence from their parents, but this may all change soon. Drivers may not need licenses because we may be living in a world of cars controlled by supercomputers. Experts argue that this will change society for the better and be an especially positive move forward in the world of transportation and teens.

Driverless cars, also known as Automated Vehicles (AV), are on the cusp of taking over our roadways. Several companies are developing these high-tech vehicles. They claim they will solve the problems associated with teen drivers. These lofty assertions have led to one big question: How safe are driverless cars?

There are obvious safety advantages to a supercomputer controlling a vehicle rather than a teenager. To begin with, computers don’t consume alcohol. More than half of the injuries and deaths of teens due to auto accidents were alcohol related. Proponents of the driverless car note that drunk driving could quickly become a non-issue. Sober computers could save countless lives.

Another large contributor to teen deaths in car accidents is due to a failure to wear seatbelts. Nearly half of the teens between the ages of 16-19 that were killed in crashes in 2018 were unrestrained. With driverless cars, passengers may be required to buckle up while the car is in operation. This could encourage seat belt use among teens.

Human error is the primary cause of motor vehicle accidents. The fact that human driving errors are a leading cause of crashes is precisely why developers of the AV believe that driverless cars have the potential to be safer. They argue that computers don’t make errors. Technology is consistent and reliable when programmed to complete tasks. They believe that the challenge is in programming automated vehicles to know how to respond to every possible situation it may face. Developers claim this is possible.

The data is indisputable—teenage drivers are involved in and die more often in automobile accidents than drivers in any other age group. Yet, it is also clear that while supercomputers may have the potential to be safer drivers than humans, automated vehicles are not safer yet. According to Maria Martin in her article, 29 Must-Know Self-Driving Statistics, published in February of 2021, “…self-driving cars have a higher rate of accidents compared to human-driven cars, but the injuries are less serious. On average, there are 9.1 self-driving car accidents per million miles driven, while the same rate is 4.1 crashes per million miles for regular vehicles.”

It is crucial that driverless technology continue to be developed and studied. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the government entity responsible for highway safety, is committed to that cause. They are actively studying this issue and working alongside the creators of automated vehicles to ensure public safety. They are determined to answer the question, “Who is a safer driver? Humans or computers?” Until then...teens, keep practicing for that driving test!

PASSAGE 2: 18-Wheeler: The Forecast
By Eddie Jones

Driverless trucks and AV (Automated Vehicles) are controlled by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) supercomputer. This computer takes in outside stimulus from sensors, cameras, and tech devices strapped to the outside of the truck and processes all the information at a rate that is fifteen times faster than the average human. They have their own Wi-Fi system within the truck so that they are not at risk of losing a signal and compromising their entire system. With features like these, it’s easy to wonder if the robots really are taking over and why we may or may not want them to do so.

It may surprise you to hear the primary motivators for corporations to use automated trucks rather than those operated by real humans—companies are pushing for more reliable technology in automated trucks so that they can convert to driverless fleets. Why do they want driverless fleets? There are three main reasons—cost, efficiency, and safety.

The Reason Driverless Trucks Are in the Fast Lane of Development

The average cost for the driverless technology on these big rigs is $250,000. At first glance, a quarter of a million dollars for a vehicle sounds outrageous. Surprisingly though, it pales in comparison to the cost of hiring and paying a driver for several years. When the annual salary and benefit packages are combined, the cost of the driverless technology pays for itself in less than five years.

In addition, a driverless truck doesn’t have the limits a human does. There is no need to stop for food or sleep, and a truck doesn’t need sick days or vacation days. Therefore, an automated truck can transport cargo twice as fast and complete three times more driving in a week than a truck operated by a human. An added bonus is that these automated trucks are not only time efficient, but they are also fuel efficient by keeping a steady speed and driving straighter. In contrast, a human driver can be a gas guzzler with even minor inconsistencies in braking and steering. All of these efficiencies affect a company’s profit margin and save businesses money by giving them quicker services for less cost.

Last, experts believe that the technology of driverless trucks has the potential to save human lives. You might wonder, “How can a computer possibly be safer than a human?” The answer lies not in what a computer can do, but rather in what humans do. Humans make mistakes. Sadly, in the world of trucking, those errors often result in fatalities. Unlike human drivers, computers don’t drive drunk or text while driving, they don’t fall asleep or get distracted, and they have consistent and reliable responses to stimuli. Humans do not. Over half a million auto accidents each year—or one in every eight automobile accidents—involve a semi-truck. The creators working on driverless technology believe that they will soon be able to offer a product with much better safety statistics. It seems that they are definitely moving in that direction, and it won’t be a matter of if we see a truck cruising along side us missing a driver, but just a matter of when we will see an empty cab.

Companies developing automated trucks believe that they can reduce the number of semi-truck related fatalities by eliminating human errors.

Answer 1

The Impact of Technology on Driving: The Rise of Automated Vehicles

In recent years, technological advancements have revolutionized the automotive industry, paving the way for driverless vehicles, or Automated Vehicles (AVs). As this technology becomes more commonplace, its ramifications on society, particularly in terms of safety, efficiency, and overall driving experience, are undeniable. Both Tess Wallace’s "The Next Big Thing" and Eddie Jones’s "18-Wheeler: The Forecast" highlight the myriad ways technology is reshaping our understanding of driving and transportation.

One of the most significant impacts of AV technology is the potential increase in road safety. Traditionally, human error has been the leading cause of traffic accidents. Wallace cites that “human driving errors are a leading cause of crashes,” underscoring the inherent risks of having human drivers behind the wheel. However, AVs are designed to mitigate these risks by relying on sophisticated artificial intelligence systems that process information rapidly and accurately. For example, Jones notes that driverless trucks are controlled by an AI supercomputer that can process outside stimuli from sensors and cameras at a speed "fifteen times faster than the average human." This ability to respond swiftly to dynamic driving conditions can help prevent accidents that might occur due to human distractions, fatigue, or impaired judgment.

Furthermore, the promotion of driverless vehicles may lead to significant behavioral changes among drivers, particularly teens. Wallace argues that the advent of supercomputers managing vehicles may eliminate alcohol-related accidents, which account for over half of the injuries and deaths among teenage drivers. With stringent technology protocols in AVs, the likelihood of drunk driving could diminish. Additionally, the enforceability of seat belt use could be enhanced in automated cars, as these vehicles might require all passengers to buckle up during operation, consequently promoting safe driving habits among younger, less experienced users.

Efficiency is another crucial benefit of automated technology, particularly in the realm of commercial trucking. Jones highlights that companies are increasingly inclined to transition to driverless fleets due to cost, efficiency, and safety. The financial aspect is particularly striking; while the initial investment in driverless technology for a truck can reach around $250,000, this expense is offset by the elimination of driver salaries, which can accumulate to much higher costs over several years. Additionally, driverless trucks can operate around the clock without the need for breaks or rest, allowing them to transport goods faster than human-operated vehicles. This efficiency not only enhances the speed of deliveries but can also lead to better fuel economy as these vehicles maintain a steady speed, in contrast to the erratic driving patterns of humans.

Despite the promises of improved safety and efficiency, the current state of AV technology is still in development. Wallace points out that while AVs have the potential to be safer, they are not yet statistically safer than human-driven vehicles, with statistics indicating higher accident rates for self-driving cars. Thus, ongoing research and development are crucial to address these concerns and prove the reliability of AV systems.

In conclusion, the integration of technology into driving, particularly through the development of automated vehicles, offers transformative potential for society. Both passages illustrate a future where AVs may drastically reduce road accidents caused by human error and improve efficiency within the transportation industry. However, as we embrace this change, it is essential to continue advancing the technology to ensure that these new systems meet the safety and reliability standards required for widespread adoption. The world of driving may be on the brink of a monumental shift, heralding a new era not only in how we travel but also in how we perceive safety and responsibility on the roads.