Cars, how dangerous are they? Well after an experience I just had with them, I now really want to see self driving cars become a reality and quick. I know Google is hard at work with getting these things out there, and I’m excited at the possibility of getting to drive in one at some point in the near future. But as with any new technology it takes awhile for it to be adopted in the mainstream market of the demanding consumer. First any company investing money in these ideas will want to see a market for this potential new product so that way they can make their money and be profitable once they have a sellable product. Then there's the whole dilemma of making these things affordable, I mean cars are expensive enough as is, brand new, with the normal manual driving(well some of them are slightly automated now.)

The market will definitely welcome these things in wholeheartedly, the reason I say this with such vigor is that many people who can’t get around will now be able to do so with no problem whatsoever to improve their life by making it easier to get to places to do the things that they are passionate about. One of the biggest pros to these self-driving cars are related to the dreaded accident. These accidents will then be a thing of the past, as the cars themselves are programmed to focused on driving and NOTHING else, unlike us humans who can have a lot on our plates. I very much like this no accidents part after losing my car to such an accident...

This was a horrible experience that I wish to never stumble upon again at all! The story goes as follows, I was traveling around focusing on life, and all the crap that has been brought up it what seems a unjustly manner. Family issues involving a death in the family and a whole side of the family not being invited to someone's funeral. Then potential friends assuming all the negative and pushing aside others just because, then the lovely coordination of work(or lack thereof I should say...) The latter two are meh, I can get over it. But the first one was something that was hard pressed to ignore, especially after reading a nasty letter that my Father received from a not so generous “family” member. Anyways enough about that nonsense.

All this is a sure recipe for easy distractibility... And being easily distracted is one of the worse things that you can be when driving a car that has so much power and responsibility behind it all. Add being on an unfamiliar road to the mix and you got the makings for a risk of stuff happening, specifically bad things since fast moving cars are in the loop of the story. A piece of something fell down on the floor of the vehicle, and instinctively a look was passed to see what it was, then once the level of curiosity was satisfied the focus was redirected back to what was happening front and center to where the focus should of been all along, what's that, ohh a car is in front of the vehicle, wait this car is stopped, initiate quick response of veering to the left, oh what's that, it wasn’t a complete success.... Reality sets in, looking about, airbags deployed, sitting in left turn lane when the intention was to go straight, hmmm... Off to the right a car is moving off into the dirt slowly and comes to a stop at some point soon after that. Throw the car into park, thrust the door open after seeing that no one will hit the door off by speeding by and observing that there is no problem with getting out of the car, with a body that will cooperate with the intended movements of dashing over to see the hopefully positive enough results of the event that is dreaded by all. Seeing a moving person on the phone talking is a good sign indeed. The next best thing that was brought to the mind was to call the number of 911 to get some much needed help for the situation. Driver side door will not open on the car that was hit from the left rear so the next move would be to try opening the passenger door which is where the distraught individual was able to get out and greet the sorrowful driver.

This is no way to make a first impression on someone who knows not a thing about one or the other, besides the fact that someone hit someone unintentionally, hence the definition of an accident... Two souls that were meant to mingle that day to affect the day henceforth in who knows how many ways? Or bad odds of the day that will affect the lives of those involved in how they choose to react? Yet more distracting points from the situation of what has happened.

One certainly seems to be of a surety, that being that if technology was communicating together in the instance of these cars, then no accident would've happened in the first place, since the first car “itself” would of seen the approaching car and made the appropriate speed change or lane change, or whatever other reaction that was deemed best for the situation after asking the car it was approaching what it’s intentions are, to which the car would've replied turning right or going straight and not being wishy-washy about the answer at all. This would be a huge step in preventing these types of unfortunate situations from happening in the future.

So I say bring on the self driving cars, but of course allow us to drive if we want to; just with automation with stopping if the car knows that it’s the only way to prevent an accident(and hope hackers don’t wreak havoc on that “feature”).

Anyways on to better things and a lesson has certainly been learned from this whole experience, don’t take your eyes off the road for any reason with an emphasis on ANY. Which brings me to my next point of “smarts.” Will these smart cars inherently make us all dumber, since we will just rely on the technology to keep us safe instead of us trying to keep ourselves out of danger's way. Or will more good come from this in the ways of focus, and being able to focus on things that don’t involve fear for ones live and safety since it has already been taken care of, interesting indeed.

What are your thoughts on the whole matter? Please do include a description of something related to this topic, would make my time sitting in front of this computer seem like much more of an effort well spent. Bring on the debate, pro’s and/or cons of the mentioned topics.