ORLANDO, Fla. – As self-driving vehicles become more common on the road, some drivers are embracing the technology as the future of transportation, while others remain skeptical about whether they are ready to trust a computer behind the wheel.
The conversation gained attention after a viewer reached out through a neighborhood network concerned about a self-driving vehicle he believed was malfunctioning. The concern raised questions about what happens when autonomous technology does not work as expected and how drivers should respond as they see more of these vehicles on the road.
“I think it is cool for long drives,” one driver said.
Another driver disagreed, saying, “Nope, not for me.”
Videos shared this year showing autonomous vehicles in unusual situations have added to the public discussion. One showed a Waymo vehicle navigating flooding in Texas, while another appeared to show a vehicle blocking traffic near an apartment fire.
Some drivers say they are not convinced the technology is ready.
“I don’t think the human race is ready for self-driving cars yet. People can barely drive nowadays as is,” one driver said.
Others believe autonomous vehicles could eventually make roads safer. Waymo says its vehicles have fewer serious crashes compared with human drivers.
“As long as you’re using it smart and not drinking and driving with the self-driving, it should be good,” another driver said.
A MetroPlan Orlando survey found more drivers are becoming comfortable sharing the road with autonomous vehicles compared with previous years. However, when asked about riding in a driverless vehicle, a majority of respondents still preferred having a human driver.
Traffic safety experts say part of the challenge is learning how to interact with the technology. News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve recently spotted a Waymo vehicle while on patrol along John Young Parkway.
“Malfunction could be up for definition, give it some time and be patient if you see one,” he said.
Trooper Steve said drivers need to understand both the abilities and limitations of autonomous vehicles. He said if something goes wrong, the vehicle is designed to recognize the issue and attempt to safely respond.
“If something does go wrong with Waymo, Waymo already knows it will autonomously try to fix what is happening, and if it can’t, it will try to find a way to park itself,” he said.
He added that if drivers see an issue involving a self-driving vehicle, they should respond the same way they would with any other vehicle emergency and call 911 if needed.
For some, the technology represents progress.
“I think it’s a good idea when people get ready for it, but at the same time I don’t think it’s updated and safe,” one driver said.
For others, handing over control to a computer remains a major step.