Self-Driving Cars – Accident Risk or the Answer to Our Prayers?

Every year, new cars are fitted with more and more automated safety features and crash avoidance technology. Many of today’s higher-range cars already have advanced safety features such as collision warnings, lane departure warnings, and blind-spot monitoring. It is now predicted that fully automated self-driving cars will be a regular feature on our roads by as early as 2020. This is going to have a huge impact not only on road safety and therefore the number of car accidents on our roads, but also on car accident claims. So does it mean the new technology is going to reduce the number of car accident claims in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds or shall we say road accidents in the UK ? may be not… lets read more about the self driving cars and how these will affect the car accidents and of course the car insurance.

How will driverless cars impact on road safety?

As we continue to move towards what only ten years ago seemed like something out of a science fiction movie, we’re having to think a lot more about how self-driving cars will affect road safety.

Latest statistics in the UK reveal that in 2014 there were 22,807 serious injuries and 1,775 traffic-related fatalities. Meanwhile in the USA, the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows “the critical cause” in 94% of all car accidents is human error. You can read more about the common causes of road traffic accidents in the UK.

Then consider the fact that self-drive cars have 360 degree visibility and 100% attention and concentration, in all directions, at all times, meaning there is absolutely no room for human error.

Furthermore, Google claim that the newest sensors fitted to their self-drive cars are aware of possible obstructions – including cyclists and pedestrians, as well as other vehicles – for a distance of around 100 feet.

There has been some speculation as to whether self-driving cars are actually as safe as they claim to be. An Associated Press report recently asserted that Google’s cars – in six years of tests in three US cities – have in fact been involved in a number of accidents. However, Google then analysed the information and claimed that in every single case, these accidents were not the fault of the car, but were rather, as always, down to human error.

The fact is that computer algorithms are a lot more reliable than the human brain. This means a drastic reduction in the number of road traffic accidents and a significant saving in human lives.

What does this mean for insurance premiums?

Some predictions in the United States foresee a drop-off in car insurance premiums of around a thousand dollars a year (around £700), with insurance payments in some cases falling to as low as £250 per year (around £170). This is because fully automated self-driving cars have been shown to reduce accidents by as much as 90%, and in the absence of risk, insurance companies will have no choice but to drastically reduce premiums.

Another consequence for insurance companies will be that accident claims will become easier to process. This is because when two human beings are involved in a crash, each may recall the accident differently, and consequently reaching agreement is often far from straightforward. However, self-driving cars have photographic memories – literally. And with absolute assurance of the exact details of an accident, there is a lot less likelihood of a protracted legal battle.

So, although it may be a while yet till accident claims in Birmingham are – thanks to driverless cars – virtually a thing of the past, it probably won’t be quite as long as you imagine.

In case if you have suffered injury in an accident that was not your fault, our team at One Call is on hand right now to discuss every aspect of your accident claim. One Call Accident Management works in conjunction with  panel of Personal injury solicitors in birmingham , London, Manchester and other major cities, we provide a comprehensive legal referral service to meet the needs of our clients so making a claim with us is just One Call away.. call us on 0800 999 4042 – and you will know where you are every step of the way.