Calling ‘shotgun’ just got a lot more competitive. Are we catching up with the trend of self-driving cars?
Self-driving cars are going to be a game-changer in the near future, but South Africa needs to catch up with this trend. There has been pioneering development in the testing of autonomous cars for years, but the country is only starting to introduce these vehicles to public roads now.
Some experts believe that cars will be fully autonomous within the next decade, while others believe it will take longer. However, it is possible that cars will never be fully autonomous due to challenges, such as handling weather and road conditions, or communicating with other cars and avoiding objects on the road.
Benefits and concerns
Self-driving cars have the potential to bring significant economic benefits to South Africa. The World Economic Forum predicts that self-driving cars could save over $1 trillion in the next decade through fewer accidents and reduced insurance claims.
Self-driving cars could help reduce traffic congestion, and therefore, the risk of accidents. These cars also have advanced driver assistance features that could reduce collisions by up to 9%, potentially saving around 900 000 lives.
However, there are concerns about how insurance premiums will be impacted by the use of self-driving cars. The question of liability is up for debate as well as the added complication of determining the risk, considering insurance premiums are based on a driver's history.
In addition, the issue of cybersecurity is also a significant concern. Self-driving cars use computerised systems, which could make them vulnerable to hackers.
Is South Africa prepared?
The answer to whether South Africa is prepared for autonomous cars is a complicated one. Several factors need to be considered, including the specific features and capabilities of the self-driving car, the infrastructure of the roads themselves, and the local traffic conditions. In general, many roads are not yet ready for self-driving cars, as the required infrastructure is still being developed and tested, and there are still many regulatory hurdles to be cleared.
Another challenge with self-driving cars will be to convince current drivers that they are safe and reliable. Currently, there are no regulations regarding the operation of self-driving cars in South Africa, although the Department of Transport has indicated plans to introduce new regulations soon. These regulations need to be well-considered to ensure legal certainty on a range of issues, including liability and insurance.
Ultimately, self-driving cars could benefit South Africa’s roads, but the concerns and challenges that come with this new technology still need to be addressed.
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