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I, For One, Welcome Our New Robotic Chauffeur Overlords

A recent review by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of Tesla cars finds that its “autopilot” is about 40 percent safer than a human driver. “Every year, we lose approximately 35,000 people on America’s roadways, most as a result of human error,” says John Paul, the American Automobile Association’s senior manager of traffic safety. “Connected and automated vehicle technologies have the potential to dramatically reduce this number.” But a AAA survey finds that “while U.S. drivers are eager to buy vehicles equipped with autonomous technology, they continue to fear a fully self-driving vehicle.” So much so that three-quarters of Americans are actually afraid to ride in a self-driving car — a number that’s unchanged from a year ago. (RC/Pawcatuck (RC/Conn.) ...Because they realize the car will probably be a better driver.