Don’t expect self-driving cars to display warning signs
Q Concerning self-driving vehicles, you noted that “other drivers often do not know how to respond to autonomous vehicles and need more education on mixing in traffic with them.”
But then did not provide any guidance on what we need to know. You listed a sample of accidents occurring with these AVs and nearly all were the result of the AV being more cautious, stopping in situations where a human may not, and then getting rear-ended.
Maybe a warning on the back of the AV saying “Self-driving car, may make sudden stops” is what we need. — Dan Bergmann, Livermore
A Here’s another idea.
Q Why don’t they just put a sign on the selfdriving cars like they do on those warning “Student Driver?” That way people will avoid them just like they do today when they see that sign. — William Schneider, Alliance, Ohio
A I like your ideas, but the DMV says there are no plans to add signs as you can usually tell it is an autonomous vehicle because of the bubble-like equipment on the roof. But a bumper sticker or decal like HOV stickers saying “AV vehicle” can’t hurt.
P.S. William says there are no AVs in his Ohio hometown, “but I would be one of the first to own one here.”
Q What will happen if a person is out driving or riding in an autonomous vehicle and one or more sensors goes out? Will it crash or cause another vehicle to crash due to it suddenly stopping? — Jason Earlywine
A Unlikely. There are numerous sensors on each AV, so if one malfunctions others can compensate.
Q I saw an AV in Mountain View and worried that if I was in its blind spot, it would not detect I was just feet away. Is my fear legitimate?
— Mary Clark, Mountain View
A After millions of miles of testing this hasn’t been a problem. AVs are designed to avoid blind spots and its sensors cover a 360-degree range, about triple what human eyes can cover.
Q I am 68 years old. Do I still need to be alive to win your BART contest or should I put this in my will? — Norman Roush, Sunnyvale
A Naw. As Spock would say, I’m sure you’ll live long and prosper. BART’s Fremont to San Jose extension will open later this year. If you pick the correct date, the winner gets a $100 Clipper card from me. Deadline to enter is June 1. Email mrroadshow@ bayareanewsgroup.com and good luck.
Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat noon Wednesday at www.mercurynews. com/live-chats, look for him at Facebook.com/ mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@ bayareanewsgroup. com.
Contact Gary Richards at grichards@ bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5037.