Obama hails self-driving cars’ huge potential

In a written piece, US President Barack Obama expresses support for the automation of automobiles. And right now, for too many senior citizens and Americans with disabilities, driving isn’t an option.

“The progress we’ve seen in automated vehicles over the past several years shows what our country is capable of when our engineers and entrepreneurs, our scientists and our students – backed by federal and private investment – pour their best work and brightest ideas toward a big, bold goal”, Obama said. Some 35,200 people died on the nation’s roads previous year, 94 percent because of human error or choice.

Obama argues self-driving cars could make USA roads safer, and give the elderly and disabled better transportation options.

While Obama said that the government must play a huge role in nurturing the development of self-driving technology, he cautioned that the goverment must ensure consumer’s safety without hampering the industry with too much regulation. Automated vehicles could change their lives.

The DOT’s comprehensive policy overview on self-driving cars, released Tuesday, presents safety guidelines for self-driving auto manufacturers – from data recording to crashworthiness and cybersecurity – in addition to distinguishing what federal and state government responsibilities are and outlining the existing and possibly new regulatory tools necessary to monitor self-driving cars.

The guidance will include a 15-point “safety assessment” that outlines the federal expectations for the design, testing and development of autonomous vehicles.

Referring to consistency between states, Obama wrote of guidance provided to states on how they should regulate autonomous vehicles so people riding in self-driving cars will be assured that other vehicles on the road with the new technology will be as safe. “So it’s critical that we also provide new resources and job training to prepare every American for the good-paying jobs of tomorrow”, he said, alluding to fears among cab drivers and those working for ride-hailing services who fear the technology will leave them jobless.

Autonomous cars might sound like a futuristic pipedream, but the reality is far more mundane. They are on the roads, becoming available to the general public – and the government wants to make sure the people, and the government, are ready. Americans aren’t quite ready.

Countless experts and elected officials are excited about the prospect of self-driving cars. “We aren’t hesitant to protect the American public’s safety”.

“Safer, more accessible driving”, Obama added of the technology’s potential. They’re afraid that the technology will take jobs away from taxi and truck drivers, and they’re skeptical that the technology will save lives as supporters claim.