Quick hit - autonomous vehicles are MUCH safer

A just-published research report finds driverless cars could reduce road traffic injuries by 80%.

Yep, if humans stopped driving and we all used robot vehicles, the data indicates 4 out of 5 vehicular injuries today would disappear.

If you’re in the auto insurance business or involved in litigation (looking at you, billboard attorneys and defense attorneys!) this will may have a massive impact.

Before you start yelling about the child that was struck by the waymo vehicle in California, think about the miles driven by autonomous vehicles and the injury rate - Net is people are much more dangerous drivers than technology.

OH, and here’s what REALLY happened. and generated hundreds of press reports.

The crash occurred on a residential street near an elementary school during daytime hours. Waymo said the child suddenly entered the roadway from behind a tall SUV.

The robotaxi traveled at about 17 mph before the child appeared. The vehicle detected the child and braked hard.

According to Waymo, the system reduced speed to 6 mph before impact. The company said its sensors “immediately detected the individual as soon as they began to emerge from behind the stopped vehicle.”

After the collision, the child stood up and walked to the sidewalk. The robotaxi automatically contacted emergency services.

I’d bet a human-driven car would have reacted slower and caused more severe injuries…but no media coverage.

For more info, read this.

What does this mean for you?

Autonomous vehicles will be much safer than we humans. And the knock-on effects are massive.