The Evolving Automobile

Millions of people drive each day, some heading to work, some to vacation destinations, some to entertainment, and some just for fun. Within these millions, there are all types of drivers; aggressive, passive, new, experienced, and elderly to name a few. The elderly comprise of more than 40 million people age 65 and older in the United States and of those 40 million, 34 million are licensed drivers (NHTSA). Elderly driving has become an alarming subject throughout many communities in the United States as it concerns the safety and health of themselves as well as other drivers. One article shares, as 80-year-old Daniel was driving to the grocery store one day, he ran over a curb and hit a trash can. Luckily he was not hurt and his car suffered only minor scratches. Although unscathed, Daniel was emotionally distraught having almost hit a young woman waiting at the bus stop (Older Drivers). This story as well as many others has triggered a crucial debate about the rights and well-being of senior drivers. Most people believe these older drivers should have an age restriction determining when they should and should not be able drive. However, getting older does not mean people lose all capability to drive. In opposition, driving and health tests should be required at the age of 65 to prove they are capable of safe driving rather than revoking their licenses.

In the article, “Will Self-Driving Cars be Good for America” (March 10, 2016), Robert Peterson argues that America is ready for self-driving cars to take over the streets. The author first reports the statistics of car related accidents in America, and how much the damages have cost in all; he then presents all the benefits of autnomous cars by discussing how it will benefit people of all ages by limiting expenses, and being able to reach a destination without the need for a license; and to conclude, he then finishes his article by alerting the audience that they need to get ready for what’s about to happen to the automotive industry in America. His purpose is to inform the reader in order to convince them that autonomous cars are the only

Machines running, hammers dropping, and drills drilling are the sounds of Henry Ford’s revolutionary assembly line. Henry Ford grew up in the late eighteenth century during the industrial revolution. There were no electric lights, only gas lamps and candles. Horses and trains were the only cost effective way of transportation for the public. When Henry Ford was a child, he saw a steam driven car on the road and was mesmerized. At this point, he knew he longed to become a mechanic that works on cars. At the age of sixteen, Henry Ford got a job as an apprentice machinist in Detroit at the Detroit Dry Dock Company. Three years later he returned to work on the family farm, and became adept at operating the

Right now self-driving cars and trucks are hitting the road and will soon be available to the general market . Major companies like Google, Tesla, Uber and Delphi are leading in autonomous cars industry. In the past few years, these companies have made great strides improving this technology. Addressing the concerns for this technology must be concluded before it reaches the general public. Given the current state of automobiles that don’t need drivers the American consumer needs to be mindful that moral decisions this technology is handling puts them at risk due to the fact that this is emerging technology, laws are being made that will shape this technology, and who is choosing who lives and who dies.

First driverless cars are much less likely to crash. In fact “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that between 93 percent and 95 percent of car accidents are caused by human error” (par. 5, Tribune). This study displays

Are Americans ready for cars that can drive themselves?, will it be safe for “ai’s” on the road instead of normal human drivers?, and how will this be beneficial to traffic, crashes, and time? In the Newsela article, “pro/con: self-driving cars are just around the corner. Is it a good thing?”, By Tribune News Service, Self-driving cars remove many of the human mistakes that cause injuries and deaths. Self-driving cars can also help disabled and elderly people get from place to place on their own. The self-driving cars that are now being developed use many forms of technology to drive themselves. Radar, cameras and other devices are used to "see" the world around the car. Advanced computer systems drive the car from one destination to another without any help from humans. Self-driving cars offer such a wealth of advantages that it makes little difference whether Americans are ready. Americans need to get ready. Self-driving cars will soon be in their rearview mirrors.

In today’s society automobile accidents are an everyday occurrence. Mishaps can happen anywhere at any given time. In the past ten years accidents have averaged around ten million occurring for each year (US Census Bureau). That is 100 million automobile accidents in ten years. Most people would automatically point their fingers at young drivers in today’s world. A number of accidents are caused by teens though I believe a worse threat is starting to appear. This threat being elderly drivers over the age of 70. These elderly drivers could be considered dangerous due to their decline in sensory. With more elderly drivers increasing over the years, drivers everywhere could be in danger. Within the next 20 years the

This opinion article addressing the cons of the rising technology of self-driving cars will be published in the LA Times. Readers of the LA Times are educated, affluent citizens who tend to have liberal ideologies.

“An eighty-six year old man killed ten people and injured more than seventy when he drove his Buick into a crowded farmers market in California. In Florida, an eighty-four year old woman drove her car through a window of a Sears and into a cash register and employee” (Murphy). Sadly enough, instances like these are becoming more and more prevalent and require immediate action. It is imperative that a more comprehensive approach be taken when deciding the competence of elderly drivers. Laws must be put into action to mandate and administer testing and re-examining of the skills and eligibility of this group. Equally important, we must consider those who will no longer be able to drive, and ensure their transportation and occupational needs

The dangers most elderly drivers create can be prevented. Older people may consider driving the "last connection to freedom and independence"

So starting with turbos, although there are many types of turbos, I’ll talk about the simplest setup.

In recent discussions of growing technology, a controversial issue has been whether we are ready for the advancements of driverless vehicles. On the one hand, some argue that these advancements have already proven that we are ready. On the other hand, however, others argue that we need to have more experience with the technology before we can be ready. In sum, then, the issue is are we ready or not for driver-less cars. While others think that driverless vehicles can’t be trusted yet without a commission to help lawmakers with regulating the vehicles and government officials that know more about this technology to better watch over it, I believe that we are ready for this new evolving automobile because driverless vehicles already has too much potential beginning with its self-automated breaking system and warnings.

A long standing debate has been whether or not people sixty – five or older should continue to drive. According to Davis and DeBarros, rates of fatal crashes begin to increase after age sixty – five. “When drivers get to be as old as 85 and older, the driver fatality rate skyrockets to almost four times higher than teen driver death rates.”

Automobile accidents are a leading cause of death in the United States today. A high percentage of these accidents are caused by elderly drivers who are not fit to drive. Health issues, lack of knowledge of new driving laws, or the development of bad driving habits are some factors that contribute to this issue. However, not all older drivers are dangerous behind the wheel. Actually, many are safer drivers than their younger counterparts. They are more cautious, adapt to weather conditions better, and tend to be less distracted behind the wheel. But the government should not ignore the elderly drivers who have killed others while behind the wheel due to age related issues. Licensed drivers over the age of 65 should be required to retake their driving test every year due to health issues that come with age, updated driving laws, and bad driving habits that develop over time.

One of the most compelling arguments against needing to know how to drive is the driver-less car which have had reasonable success under the development of Google, which by 2012 “completed more than 300,000 miles of testing. […] and there hasn’t been a single accident under computer control.” [2]. This was achieved about 2 years after the project was first publicly announced and aimed to “fundamentally change the use of cars”[3]. The concept itself has a lot of merit as it would give those previously unable to drive, such as those who are blind or otherwise disabled, means to more independently get around. A good example of how a driver-less car would be was seen in the film adaptation of Isaac Asimov 's I, Robot, in which all cars where computer driven but also gave the driver an option