Self-Driving Cars: Closer to Driving Them or Scared to be on the Road with Them?

Last week, safety regulations on self-driving cars passed the senate. This means that "autonomous" vehicles could be closer to being on the road than you think. SB 1298 (Padilla), in addition would allow these vehicles to share the road with you. If Governor Brown signs the bill, we could see cars like Google's self-guided Prius passing us by as soon January 2013. California would be one of the few states after Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, and Oklahoma with similar bills.

As California embraces technology on the road, some of the questions people may have surround safety. Safety of people behind the wheel --let's face it, although we may not be driving the car, it may give us some extra anxiety. Oh, and what about the people who will see the car in motion, driver eating a taco from lunch while his or her car turns left at a busy intersection with ease.

The other side to welcoming the new brainchild of vehicles is the sustainability and technology aspects. They would be fuel efficient and are designed to see things that we may have missed: drunk drivers, a light changing colors, or a pedestrian crossing the street. How much safer would you feel if your car was like your second set of eyes? Better yet, they can be your eyes on the road. Blind drivers could be behind the wheel of a car and be able to get to where they want. 

I also wonder if there will be a lane just for autonomous vehicles to use just like the carpool lane, or if that is even being considered.

What are your thoughts on self-driving cars?