Why Are Governments Pushing Autonomous Vehicles On The Public Without Asking Them First?

Never mind the big debate about what’s best: comparatively cheap internal combustion-engined cars, or relatively expensive 100 per cent-electric vehicles. Or, between the two, hybrids that – for me, for now – remain the preferred compromise.

The next, even bigger, more complex, emotive, life-changing discussion will ramp it up several notches. At its core? Supposedly ‘safe and clever’ autonomous tech driving, instead of us continuing to drive our allegedly ‘dangerous and stupid’ selves. Hmmm!
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PUGPROUD - 10/26/2020 1:59:35 PM

+1 Boost

Really! Like when they asked you to raise your taxes, defund the police, take down historical statues or send Covid 19 patients back into nursuing homes?

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 10/26/2020 2:00:55 PM

+3 Boost

The BEV or Hybrid argument makes sense. The Beta-ish self driving systems don't. Nobody asked for these. It is technology driven not consumer driven. Radar cruise control, blind spot warning, lane departure warning, emergency braking, 360 cameras, parking sensors and other tech are all welcome developments. But you should drive your car yourself.

TomM - 10/26/2020 6:07:29 PM

+2 Boost

THere are lots of reasons why a person might want to have a car that can drive itself that the young set here will readily overlook - not the least of which is AGE. As you get older - your ability to deal with driving in the Glare of the sun - or of Headlights at night worsens. However - not everyone can afford to get a car and hire a driver to drive you.

THe main purpose of a car is mobility - and while I admit I love letting go in one of my Ferraris to still be something I would not want to easily give up- My Mother - who is 103 - really has reaction time that means she will not be driving much longer - and she never even sat in any of the Sports Cars I have had over the years. Yet - the local church is a couple minutes drive away - her Salon is a couple miles further than that - in the same strip mall with our Local Grocery/General Stores. A self driving car would allow her the ability to go to those places when she chose to.

So Yes - for those who derive real satisfaction from Driving a well sorted out Car - there are literally THousands of people who just want to go somewhere and consider a car an appliance to do it in. If you are not in an area where Taxis exist - a bus doesn't come and it is now hard to mount your steed - a self driving car could be an option worth considering.

MDarringer - 10/26/2020 8:58:54 PM

0 Boost

My great-grandfather is in his 90s and recently had to perform an in-car driving test. He looks and acts 65 to the point that they accused him of being his own son (deceased) and trying to pass for dad. They looked at him askance the last time he had to demonstrate behind the wheel so I brought the death certificate this time.