New research has found that self-driving cars are already better drivers than humans, in many cases.

A comparison of accident data from 2,100 self-driving vehicles and 35,133 human-driven vehicles, primarily in California, USA, has found that self-driving cars are generally involved in fewer accidents. 

The study highlights the potential for autonomous vehicles to improve road safety, while also identifying areas where they still lag behind human drivers.

The researchers discovered that autonomous vehicles are notably safer when it comes to routine driving tasks such as staying in lane and adjusting to traffic flow. 

The advanced sensors and algorithms used in these vehicles enable them to navigate traffic with precision, reducing the likelihood of human error, a leading cause of accidents.

“Autonomous vehicles were also shown to be safer in rear-end and sideswipe collisions,” the study says. 

These types of accidents were found to be 0.5 and 0.2 times less common in self-driving cars compared to their human-driven counterparts.

However, the study also identified scenarios where self-driving cars are more prone to accidents. 

These include low-light conditions at dawn or dusk and while executing turns. The data showed that accidents were 5.25 times more likely during low-light conditions and 1.98 times more likely during turning manoeuvres when compared to human-driven vehicles.

The findings suggest that while self-driving cars have the potential to enhance road safety, further technological improvements are needed to address their current limitations. 

“The areas where autonomous vehicles are more prone to accidents indicate where further development and refinement of the technology are necessary,” the researchers concluded.