Imagine being able to sleep and drive at the same time! While that may seem like a ridiculous concept, it may soon be a
reality. In fact, Google Inc. has been working on the prototypes for self-driving cars since 2009, and hopes to have the vehicles
available to the public in the near future. The cars have no need for gas pedals or steering wheels, because they operate
independently of a driver, using laser sensors and cameras for guidance. While this may seem unsafe, there is evidence to support
that the cars are more secure than the vehicles we have today. In fact, Google’s self-driving cars will not only improve safety on the
road, but they will also reduce traffic.
BODY I
There are many benefits that these autonomous vehicles have to offer. Most importantly, however, they will make roads safer
for drivers. There are people, for example, who make the unfortunate decision to drive drunk and endanger the lives of others.
Furthermore, individuals will often drive while fatigued, which can impair judgment, and lead to a car accident. Self-driving cars could
potentially change all of that. In fact, “According to one government study, computer operated self-driving vehicles will eliminate
incidents involving alcohol…[and] fatigue” (Jaconi). Perhaps most importantly, the self-driving car is likely to save lives. For instance,
according to a study by the Eno Center for Transportation, “if 90 percent of cars, trucks and vans were self-driving, in the region of
21,700 lives per year could be saved” (Jaconi). All of that being said, Google’s cars can make a significant and positive difference in
the way that society functions.
BODY II
In addition to improving safety, Google’s self-driving cars will also reduce traffic. Most people have experienced the
inconvenience of being stuck behind a mass of cars on the road. Not only can sitting on the road waste resources like time and gas,
but it can also lead to frustration or road rage. Therefore, minimizing the negative impact of traffic could significantly improve the way
that Americans travel and live. Google’s CEO Sergey Brin has explained that the vehicles could “potentially…operate as a fleet of
interconnected cars” (Oreskovic), which would improve their efficiency and eliminate stop-and-go traffic. Not only would this make
commuting more convenient, but it could also help to save money spent on gas. In a study done by the Eno Center for Transportation,
it was “noted that when a majority of self-driving cars are on the road, they can begin "platooning"’ (Jaconi). In other words, because
the cars would be able to communicate with one another, they could drive more closely together, like a train. As a result, “the negative
effects of stop-and-go traffic could be eliminated” (Jaconi). Additionally, it has been noted that this platooning, “would allow for
smoother traffic flows, reduce lengthy commute times and even increase highway capacity” (Jaconi), and increasing highway capacity
would also save the government money, which may help free up funds for other important social needs, such as education.
Considering the benefits that traffic reduction might have on both individual drivers, and the society at large, it’s clear that the self
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