The idea of a self-driving vehicle may seem like science fiction, but it is very much a reality. While you may not be aware of it yet, there are already autonomous vehicles on the roads in Indiana and all over the country. These include both passenger cars and large trucks. According to GTG Technology Group, the first self-driving truck hit the road in 2015 and was created by Daimler.
Of course, as often happens with new technology, there are concerns about these vehicles. Some are unfounded, like the idea that technology will cause job loss. This is not going to be an issue for a long time because the self-driving equipment that may be sharing the road with you now still requires a human for operation. Other concerns, though, do have merit. For example, road laws change from state to state. As a human driver, you may easily adjust and account for these changes, but can a computer system? In addition, there are many variables, such as the weight of the cargo and speed of traffic, that may affect the navigation of the tractor trailer in the lane beside you, and some worry a computer simply cannot account for such things.
The whole idea behind self-driving technology is to make trucks safer and to prevent accidents. The best results may come from drivers who are willing to work with this new automation. Computers are able to add a sensory level that humans simply do not have. This can help prevent maneuvering issues on roadways and increase your safety. The drivers, however, can be there to handle tasks machinery cannot. It could be the right combination to help reduce the number of truck-related accidents. This information is only intended to educate and should not be interpreted as legal advice.