Waymo's autonomous driving system (ADS) has demonstrated a significant reduction in both bodily injury claims (92%) and property damage claims (88%) in comparison to the human driving population. This remarkable performance raises questions and discussions around the future of self-driving technology, its implications on insurance pricing, and the overall safety normative shift in transportation.
Several users commented on their personal experiences with Waymo, expressing their optimism about self-driving technology eventually becoming the norm. They noted that Waymo's driving behavior is assertive rather than overly cautious, which may position it favorably for general acceptance.
Concerns about the authenticity of Waymo's data were also mentioned, alongside appreciation for the methodical comparison against benchmarks that were adjusted for regional driving conditions, emphasizing a fair contrast in risk assessment. The potential for higher insurance costs for human-driven cars as self-driving vehicles proliferate was raised, suggesting a new financial incentive for consumers to embrace autonomous driving technologies.