Will AVs make socialising safer?
An issue which AVs hold the potential to resolve is the sudden surge in incidents of drink driving towards the end of December. New Year’s Day is regularly named the most dangerous to be on the road thanks to a higher than usual number of people driving with alcohol impairing their judgement.
Peaking around the festive season, drink driving is a continuing problem on roads globally. In fact, a recent global study discovered that an astounding 21.8% of road deaths are related to alcohol consumption. Around the holidays, when celebrations come thick and fast and increased travel is seen as a necessity by so many, this problem only worsens.
Autonomous vehicles could provide a solution. Operating at Level 5 – where no human input or failsafe is required – self-driving cars could essentially become our ‘designated drivers’. Though we’re some way from that becoming reality, it’s easy to see how driverless tech could increase safety as we socialise. Not only will drink driving be dramatically reduced, self-driving vehicles might make the streets safer for revellers on nights out. After all, when police are freed from monitoring driving offences, they’ll be able to turn their attention to keeping the people spilling out of bars and event venues safe instead.
Might AVs have a negative impact on drinking habits?
Human behaviour is difficult to forecast, but a recent study from Perth’s Curtin University suggests AVs may come with unintended negative consequences. Beyond giving more options for socialising and keeping us safe while we do, the study suggests self-driving tech could encourage unhealthy habits around alcohol as a secondary effect.
Though 49% of respondents in the study confirmed they would use a driverless car after consuming alcohol, 37% also said they would be likely to drink more than usual if they knew they’d have access to a self-driving vehicle. Leon Booth, a lead on the research, explains, “Lower age, more frequent alcohol consumption, a positive attitude to autonomous vehicles and a preference for using ’ride-share’ AVs were associated with a greater likelihood of engaging in these behaviours.”
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