Are Self-Driving Vehicles Causing More Accidents in California?

Self-driving cars are popping up all over the country, but the number of autonomous vehicles in California seems unparalleled. The mere existence of these vehicles has sparked controversy among some groups. Some opponents argue that the technology used to give a car the ability to maneuver our roadways is still in its infancy and hasn’t progressed through enough safety testing, leading to more accidents involving self-driving cars.

However, proponents of autonomous vehicles argue that removing humans from a car’s driver seat could be the best thing that has ever been done in the name of vehicle safety. So, do claims that driverless cars are more dangerous than the average vehicle actually hold any water?

Understanding Self-Driving Cars

What are Self-Driving Cars?

Self-driving cars, also known as autonomous vehicles, are designed to navigate and operate without human intervention. These vehicles rely on a sophisticated combination of sensors, GPS, and artificial intelligence to understand their surroundings and make driving decisions. The sensors, which include cameras, radar, and lidar, detect objects and measure distances, while the GPS provides precise location data. Artificial intelligence processes this information to control the vehicle’s movements, ensuring it follows traffic rules and responds to dynamic road conditions.

The potential benefits of self-driving cars are significant. They promise to make transportation safer by reducing human error, which is a leading cause of accidents. Additionally, autonomous vehicles could make travel more efficient by optimizing routes and reducing traffic congestion. They also hold the potential to make transportation more accessible for individuals who are unable to drive, such as the elderly or disabled.

How Many Self-Driving Car Accidents Have There Been?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there have been a total of 3,979 incidents involving autonomous vehicles reported from June 2021 to June 2024. This figure includes vehicles equipped with Automated Driving Systems (ADS) and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). While this number might seem alarming at first glance, it’s crucial to put it into perspective. Human drivers are responsible for thousands of accidents each year, often due to errors such as distracted driving, speeding, or impaired driving.

Self-driving cars have the potential to significantly reduce the number of accidents on the road. By eliminating human error, which accounts for the vast majority of crashes, autonomous vehicles could make our roads much safer. However, it’s important to continue monitoring and improving the technology to ensure it can handle the complexities of real-world driving.

Are Autonomous Vehicles Any Safer than the Average Vehicle?

You might be surprised to learn that most of our “autonomous” vehicles on the roadways today are not actually self-driving. The complete list of vehicle autonomy levels is:

• Level 0: Total driver control without assistance.
• Level 1: Minor forms of driver assistance, like cruise control and lane-keeping.
• Level 2: Partial driving automation, but the driver needs to be ready to take over at any given moment (such as Tesla’s Autopilot).
• Level 3: The vehicle can perform most driving tasks, but human override is still required.
• Level 4: The Vehicle does not require human interaction in most circumstances.
• Level 5: Completely autonomous and does not require human attention.

Most vehicles on the roads today that we would refer to as “self-driving” actually only sit at an autonomy level of 2 and are only considered to be partially automated.

While driverless vehicles may be better at following traffic laws, a human driver would not hesitate to break the law to save a life or prevent a more serious accident–such as choosing to cross a double yellow line to prevent hitting a pedestrian. This sense of decision-making and regard for human life may never be something a human can program into a vehicle.

However, the safety benefits of self-driving vehicles are supreme. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 94% of severe car accidents are the result of human error. This means that if all vehicles in the United States were fully autonomous, 32,900 of the 35,000 lives lost in motor vehicle-related crashes every year could potentially be spared. Studies have shown that autonomous vehicles operated by companies like Cruise and Waymo have fewer accidents compared to traditional human-driven vehicles.

Today, with most “self-driving” vehicles running on level 2 autonomy (meaning a human would need to be alert at all times and available to operate the vehicle at any given moment), the human driver would probably be found liable for an accident. So, to answer the question of whether self-driving cars are causing more accidents in California, technically, the answer is no, because humans would most likely be found to be at fault for any crashes that occurred.

Causes of Self-Driving Car Accidents

Technology Errors

One of the primary causes of self-driving car accidents is technology errors. These errors can stem from various sources, including software glitches, sensor malfunctions, and hardware failures. For example, a faulty sensor might fail to detect a pedestrian or another vehicle, leading to a collision. Similarly, a software glitch could cause the vehicle to misinterpret data, resulting in an incorrect decision, such as accelerating instead of braking.

Autonomous vehicle companies are acutely aware of these risks and are continually working to enhance their technology. They implement rigorous testing and validation procedures to identify and rectify potential issues before the vehicles hit the road. Despite these efforts, technology errors can still occur, underscoring the importance of ongoing research and development in the field of autonomous driving.

By addressing these technology errors and improving the reliability of self-driving systems, autonomous vehicle companies aim to make driverless cars a safer and more dependable mode of transportation.

Were You in a Self-Driving Car Accident in Beverly Hills? Seek Legal Help Today

Setareh Law is a highly accomplished personal injury law firm that has been fighting for clients in Beverly Hills for over 13 years. We continue to remain attentive to our clients and still provide the highest quality service after all of this time. Our team is highly accomplished, and we are dedicated to helping victims of self-driving car accidents recover the compensation to which they are entitled.

We aggressively advocate for the rights and interests of each and every client. Call (310) 659-1826 or complete an online contact form today to set up a free case evaluation. Our law firm runs on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay us a fee if we get you results. We understand the burden of pursuing a legal claim and take great pride in being there for you during your time of need.

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