GOLDBERG: Waymo representing a major opportunity for consumers

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Driverless vehicles could be hitting Toronto’s streets within two short years.

That’s according to Waymo, an American company known for its driverless cabs. Waymo plans to start testing its vehicles in Toronto — with drivers in them — in the coming days and, if all goes according to plan, commuters will be able to hail a driverless vehicle by 2028.

While many may still think of autonomous vehicles as futuristic modes of transportation only seen in science-fiction movies, the reality is that driverless ride-hailing services are operating across major U.S. cities like San Francisco, Detroit and Denver. Many trucking firms also increasingly rely on driverless vehicles to get the goods we need to their destinations.

Why might autonomous vehicles be a good thing for consumers?

Better safety record

For one thing, autonomous vehicles have a much better safety record than human drivers. There’s no need to worry about distracted driving or alcohol or other substance use. Autonomous vehicles have sensors coupled with 360-degree vision of their surroundings that work at all times.

Data from Waymo on its experiences in the U.S. thus far indicates that autonomous vehicles have helped lead to 94% fewer serious injuries or worse crashes; 82% fewer injury-causing crashes; 93% fewer pedestrian crashes with injuries; and 84% fewer crashes with injuries for both cyclists and motorcyclists.

Autonomous vehicles offer an opportunity for safer streets. Of course, no one is arguing that autonomous vehicles will lead to zero accidents or that drivers who enjoy driving should be forced to give it up. Rather, autonomous vehicles offer an avenue for those who might drive distracted to choose an alternative.

Another big win is for those who either can’t drive or simply don’t want to. Millions of Canadians have disabilities preventing them from obtaining a driver’s licence, while others feel they are too old to drive; some simply choose not to. Autonomous vehicles offer those Canadians an opportunity to travel conveniently, something that might not otherwise be on offer.

A third selling point for autonomous vehicles has to do with affordability. Owning a car costs thousands of dollars a year, owing to costs relating to depreciation, insurance, financing and maintenance. If autonomous vehicles become readily available for Torontonians who need to get to work, get their kids to school or simply run errands, the pull factor for owning a car becomes lessened.

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Supply chain benefits

Once again, no one is saying that anyone should be prevented from owning a car. But consumers should be empowered with options that make their lives more affordable and driverless cabs like the ones offered by Waymo can deliver exactly that. And for those who continue to want to own a car that they can drive, having more autonomous vehicles on the road could save them money, too, as fewer accidents mean lower insurance premiums for drivers.

When it comes to commerce, autonomous vehicles represent yet another opportunity, this time to improve supply chains. Autonomous trucks have been shown to shorten shipping times by up to 40%, meaning goods get to market faster. This is a win for producers and consumers alike as lower transportation costs will drive down the price of goods.

Of course, there will be the naysayers who warn about the introduction of autonomous vehicles in Canada. But then again, there are always those who want to stand in the way of change. The reality is that having autonomous vehicles on the road means more safety, more choice and lower costs. Those who don’t want to ride in an autonomous vehicle or give up driving won’t have to. But for millions of Canadians — like those who can’t drive — autonomous vehicles represent an exciting opportunity.

Change is in the air. And soon it’ll be on the roads.

— Goldberg is North American affairs manager at the Consumer Choice Center, which lobbies for Waymo expansion and receives funding from sources aligned with its majority owner Alphabet.

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