Autonomous vehicles are safer. At least, that’s the conclusion by the first study on the crash rate for self-driving cars, which compared that data to national crash rates. Researchers from Virginia Tech Transportation found that the self-driving cars have a crash rate of 3.2 crashes per million miles, lower than the national rate of 4.2 accidents per million miles. Evidence also suggests that self-driving cars were less likely to be a part of severe crashes with their advanced ability to navigate highways, but sufficient data is still lacking to draw a firm conclusion. Studies like this will be key to pushing autonomous vehicles into the mainstream, and as they continue to develop, that rate of accidents is expected to decline further.
New study shows self-driving cars are safer than human drivers
More of Today's Solutions
The Ocean Cleanup removed a record 25 million kilos of plastic in 2025 (and t...
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a world where the scale of plastic pollution can feel overwhelming, 2025 brought a milestone worth celebrating: ...
Read MoreAncient nits aid uncovering of human ancestry
To uncover information about ancient genomes scientists have previously relied on fossils of bones and teeth. Alongside ethical issues, the problem with this is ...
Read MoreAlways late? Here’s 7 tips to curb the habit
We’ve all run late before, whether it was because of a missed alarm, couldn't find the right outfit, or getting stuck in traffic. It ...
Read MoreHow Uruguay achieved 98% renewable energy
During the 2000s, as global fossil fuel costs skyrocketed, Uruguay faced a tremendous issue. Uruguay, as a country heavily reliant on foreign oil, found ...
Read More
