The Top Five Dangers of Self-Driving Units

Self-driving cars are gaining popularity at an exponential rate in the United States, which is both good and bad news. The good news is that technology is advancing, and people can now transport themselves to and from work without lifting a finger.

The bad news is that there are many risks associated with self-driving units, which increase as more people use them. Self-driving cars are not fully automated just yet, although vehicle manufacturers are expanding their capabilities in the marketplace.

This article addresses the top five dangers associated with self-driving cars in the United States and worldwide. If you own a self-driving vehicle, you might want to pay attention to these dangers and avoid them.

System Malfunction: Understanding Cause and Impact 

The first and most common danger with self-driving cars is that the automated system can malfunction. Typically, the vehicle gives ample warning when it has exceeded the speed limit or encountered risky changes in road conditions.

However, when the system malfunctions, the vehicle cannot recognize these dangers and the driver cannot be alerted when needed. “If a driver relies completely on these self-driving systems, they may find themselves in an accident,” says Attorney Russell Berkowitz of Berkowitz Hanna Malpractice & Injury Lawyers. This is because a driver who isn’t paying attention would often not realize the problem until it is too late.

Automated Systems: Challenges of Non-Responsiveness to Human Interaction 

The automated system in some self-driving vehicles does not respond to people or animals, or anticipate subsequent actions. That is a more complex feature than a self-driving vehicle is programmed to do. As a result, it is unable to take proper measures when it encounters animals or human beings to avoid hitting them.

At the moment, automated driving systems cannot deduce the actions of pedestrians or animals on the road. Thus, relying entirely on them would be dangerous as they can cause ghastly pedestrian accidents, among other things.

Vulnerability to Hacking: Understanding Security Risks in Automated Systems

Self-driving units are prone to hacking, particularly since they function with computing systems. Hackers can easily bypass firewalls and gain access to the system to override the controls and redirect the vehicle. The effect is that criminals can use the car to cause a gridlock or, worse, an accident. Furthermore, the risk of identity theft with self-driving units increases because hackers can also access the data on the system.

Prone to Explosion: Identifying Risks in Hazardous Environments

Self-driving automobiles are practically fire hazards; the lithium-ion batteries they use pose a huge fire hazard should they overheat.

When lithium-ion batteries overheat and catch fire, they can explode, and the fire can spread to other vehicle systems. Water or a fire extinguisher cannot put out a lithium-ion battery fire, which makes containing these fires very challenging.

Lack of Trust in Companies: Exploring Causes and Consequences

It is hard to trust the integrity of the makers of self-driving automobiles, as seen in the recent lawsuit against General Motors’ Cruise unit.

In October 2023 in San Francisco, a Cruise robotaxi struck a pedestrian and dragged her 20 feet away from the place of impact. The company failed to disclose details of the incident, which led to an investigation from the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Unfortunately, Cruise will not be the only company to suffer the consequences; the incident creates problems for other robotaxi companies as well. California has withdrawn Cruise’s ability to operate autonomous vehicles in the state, and critics are taking advantage of the situation.

Conclusion

The future of self-driving cars holds promise, but it must be approached with caution and an emphasis on safety. Therefore, if you own a self-driving car in Connecticut, you should avoid depending entirely on the systems.

Meanwhile, if you have been in an accident involving a self-driving vehicle in Connecticut, you should get a lawyer and file a claim.