include improved road safety and better accessibility. But autonomous driving technology could lead to problems like increased traffic congestion—and might leave your vehicle vulnerable to hackers.

Ever since the very first self-driving car concept was unveiled at the 1939 World’s Fair, consumers have been fascinated by the idea of owning a car that drives itself. It took decades of research to get here, but today leading tech companies like

Tesla

and Waymo are forging ahead with driverless vehicles.

While you won’t find truly autonomous cars for sale at dealerships just yet, many vehicles include new technology that can help prevent accidents and distracted driving or even help you steer and park.

If you want to learn more about autonomous driving systems, read on!

Jerry

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Pros of self-driving cars

Imagine how easy your commute would be if you could take a nap in your car while it drives you to work. A few decades from now, truly automated vehicles might completely eliminate the need to worry about commute times and traffic congestion. But more importantly, automation could also play a role in reducing the number of car crashes.

Here are some possible advantages of self-driving cars.

Reduced human error

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 94% of road accidents can be attributed to human error. Experts predict that self-driving cars will eventually be able to identify hazards and road obstacles better and faster than human drivers, leading to a significant decrease in the rate of traffic accidents.

Additionally, autonomous cars could eliminate some of the leading causes of accident-related fatalities like distracted driving, speeding, texting, road rage, and driving under the influence.

MORE:

What’s distracted driving? (And why you should care)

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Better fuel efficiency

Did you know that aggressive driving behaviors like speeding and slamming on your brakes lower your gas mileage by as much as 40%? Today, the Environmental Protection Agency tells us that modern cars equipped with adaptive cruise control features, such as Tesla Autopilot, have already improved fuel economy by about 10%.

Presumably, by the time truly autonomous vehicles hit the road, this technology will be even better and improve fuel economy that much more.

While safe driving can have a major effect on your vehicle’s fuel economy, self-driving cars will improve fuel efficiency even further by using real-time navigation to find the most fuel-efficient route to your destination.

MORE: How to get better gas mileage

Greater accessibility for people who can’t drive

Another major perk of autonomous cars is that they can provide disabled individuals with greater mobility. Instead of relying on family members or public transportation, people who are unable to drive a car could still own a vehicle and get to and from wherever they need to go without assistance.

Not only could self-driving cars provide people with disabilities a greater sense of independence and freedom, but they could also give folks access to job opportunities that wouldn’t have been an option without personal transportation.

Cons of self-driving cars

Better fuel efficiency, increased accessibility, and reducing the number of accidents are just some of the ways self-driving cars might have a positive impact on society. While these pros are worth getting excited about, you should also be aware of the cons of driverless vehicles.

Potential for machine error

Many people believe that the more driverless cars there are on the roadways, the fewer accidents there will be. While autonomous vehicles are likely to reduce the human error component of car crashes, they aren’t infallible. Just like any computer-operated machine, it’s possible that a self-driving car could experience a glitch and cause a collision.

In addition to creating problems for the “driver” of the car and the accident victims, it’d also create a major dilemma for insurance companies. In the event an autonomous vehicle causes a traffic accident, insurance companies may have the tough job of determining who is at fault.

More cars on the road and more traffic jams

Because self-driving cars are considered safer than motorist-operated vehicles, people may choose to drive more often and for longer distances if they own a car with this new technology. All those extra cars on the road could cause major issues—especially in dense urban areas like New York or Los Angeles—by contributing to the already jam-packed streets.

MORE:

The 3 best apps for avoiding traffic jams

Vulnerable to hacking

Autonomous cars use a combination of cameras, sensors, radar, software, and artificial intelligence to function. Just like any IT system, it’s possible that a self-driving car could be targeted by a hacker, leaving them more vulnerable to theft or damage that results from someone tampering with their computer system.

Key Takeaway Self-driving cars might lead to perks like a lower accident rate and better fuel efficiency, but they could also contribute to traffic problems or be targeted by hackers.

How to find car insurance for your conventional car

While truly self-driving cars are fun to think about, it’ll be decades before you can actually buy one. In the meantime, protect your conventional car—whether it has driver-assistance tech or not—with great

car insurance

If you want cheap car insurance quotes fast, go to

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FAQs

Are driverless cars a good idea?

In short, we don’t really know yet! While driverless cars could reduce the number of accidents and increase fuel efficiency, they might lead to problems like more traffic congestion.

Are self-driving cars legal in the US?

No states have laws banning the use of self-driving cars. But only California, Florida, Nevada, and Washington, D.C. have passed laws specifically authorizing the use of autonomous cars. Because there are no truly self-driving cars available for public purchase yet, we can assume that more states will pass legislation on the matter as they become more readily available.

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