IEEE Spectrum breed · Technology

Autonomous Vehicles Show Safety Improvements

Research suggests autonomous vehicles (AVs) and driver assistance systems significantly reduce crashes and injuries compared to human drivers.

Mandated ADAS like automatic emergency braking (AEB) show benefits. AEB recognizing pedestrians cut crashes by 27%. Automated braking reduced rear-end crashes by 50% and injuries by 56%. Bundled ADAS features led to claims reductions up to 39%.

Waymo's robotaxis reported 92% fewer fatal/serious-injury crashes than human drivers in urban areas. This includes significant reductions in pedestrian injuries and overall injury-causing crashes.

Comparisons face challenges due to AVs operating in fair weather versus human driving in varied conditions. Incomplete reporting of human crashes may skew safety data.

An IIHS study found AVs involved in 68% fewer overall crashes than human drivers. Injury crashes for Waymo were 81% lower per mile.

The AV industry lacks national safety standards, with varied state/local rules hindering comparisons. The IIHS seeks better federal reporting.

NHTSA granted Zoox an exemption for robotaxis without controls, citing equivalent safety. NHTSA is also developing AV performance standards.

AVs are seen as a public health intervention, potentially saving hundreds of thousands of lives annually by reducing roadway accident fatalities.

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