I think there is a lot of scope for an autonomous vehicle to be safer than a human driver. Consider:
1) computer has faster reaction times.
2) 360-degree awareness
3) better awareness of vehicle performance.
Imagine a scenario where you are at speed and get a tire blowout. The car can sense it instantly through tire pressure sensor, and counter the swerve appropriately - something that humans are very poorly prepared or practiced for.
Alternatively, a driver in a neighboring lane makes an unsafe lane change into your lane. The car sees him, honks the horn, moves/brakes/accelerates to avoid the other car, before you've even seen whats happening.
1) computer has faster reaction times.
2) 360-degree awareness
3) better awareness of vehicle performance.
Imagine a scenario where you are at speed and get a tire blowout. The car can sense it instantly through tire pressure sensor, and counter the swerve appropriately - something that humans are very poorly prepared or practiced for.
Alternatively, a driver in a neighboring lane makes an unsafe lane change into your lane. The car sees him, honks the horn, moves/brakes/accelerates to avoid the other car, before you've even seen whats happening.