Manual vs Self-Driving Cars: Which is Safer for Driving Safety?

When it comes to driving safety, the debate between manual and self-driving cars has been ongoing. Both have their pros and cons, but the most important factor is the driver behind the wheel.

Why Manual Driving is Generally Safer

Manual driving offers several advantages that make it safer than automated systems. Let's explore the reasons why manual driving is often the safer choice:

Safety Features of Manual Transmissions

Manual transmissions never die instantly. An automatic transmission (AT) can fail in a way that renders the vehicle completely immobile, but a manual transmission (MT) typically allows the driver to continue driving until they reach a safe location.

It's much harder to confuse forward and backward gears or mess up the pedals. This is especially important in preventing accidents caused by "incorrect pedal" incidents, which are more common in AT cars.

The effects of a single gear failure in a manual transmission are limited. In an automatic transmission, a single gear failure can render all gears beyond that point unusable, leading to complete vehicle inoperability.

Engine braking is a valuable safety feature. Even if the brakes fail, a skilled driver can manage the deceleration by downshifting gears, ensuring safer and more controlled braking.

Manual transmission drivers are less likely to experience fatigue during long drives, and there is a lower risk of exceeding the speed limit unintentionally.

Personal Experiences and Expert Opinions

Personal experiences and expert opinions further support the notion that manual driving is safer. Many experienced drivers share their insights on why they prefer manual transmissions for their daily commutes and long-distance travel.

Consider the following examples:

Long- Term Driver Insights

With 52 years of driving experience, a seasoned driver notes that self-driving cars, even advanced ones like Tesla, are still far from being reliable. They consider TSLA vehicles as no better than a child driving, emphasizing their limitations and potential dangers:

"I've been driving for 52 years. These computer-controlled 'self-driving' cars are as 'smart' as the folks that designed them, and that’s scary. Only responsible adults should be operating these vehicles, but I have seen cases of these individuals sleeping, drinking, watching porn, watching TV, and getting in bad wrecks while the vehicle is supposed to be in manual override mode. If they get caught for any of the above, or if a bad wreck happens, they automatically blame the car saying 'IT WAS DRIVING ITSELF'. This is brainless shit."

The driver, strongly against ever riding in a self-driving car, stresses the importance of having a skilled driver in control at all times.

Expert Recommendations

The UK Police and insurance agencies recommend the use of manual transmissions for older drivers. They highlight the risks associated with automatic transmissions, where drivers might accidentally accelerate instead of braking. This is due to the misunderstanding of the pedals:

"A manual car's speed is limited in each gear, and you can only go faster by changing gear. Anyone, including a child or an untrained person, can stomp on the gas pedal of an automatic and hit a high speed without any subsequent action or input. For averagely competent drivers, the differences in normal driving situations are there but not completely obvious. People who drive more assertively, on tracks, or off-road will mostly come down in favour of a manual transmission for slightly better control over traction and application of power, both acceleration and engine braking. These are not factors that dictate decisions for daily urban commuting but are there and a factor for consideration."

I, a driver who started street racing at age 14 and have been driving a stick shift ever since, have yet to have a single at-fault collision. The ability to gain control and make decisions based on real-time conditions is invaluable.

For beginners, learning in a manual transmission car is often recommended. This is because it retains the driver's choice going forward from the test, and it limits the driver's speed in first gear in case of a panic situation or a stiff leg.

Conclusion

While both manual driving and self-driving cars have their places, manual driving offers a more controlled and safer driving experience when the driver is in the right mindset and knowledgeable about the vehicle's mechanics.

Keywords: manual driving, self-driving cars, driving safety