Page 6 - Town & Around - October 2022
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6 Town & Around October 2022 Tel: 01485 540620 email: editor@townandaround.net
Are self-driving cars safe?
Abigail Brown
ully autonomous cars dominating our electricity, and even the way they drive is technology is at risk of being hacked.
roads may seem like a scene from a beneficial. The BBC states, "They accelerate Unfortunately, it's a "near-certainty that self-
Ffuturistic sci-fi film, but we are closer and brake more smoothly, which ultimately driving cars will be hacked, too." The AI
to this becoming reality than you may wish to reduces exhaust pipe emissions." systems responsible for controlling
believe. autonomous vehicles are vulnerable to attacks
Driverless cars have remained a thing of the Increased accessibility and inde- that could compromise their function and pose
distant future for some years, but the pendence a risk to drivers, passengers and pedestrians.
Department for Transport (DfT) has said the Automated vehicles could offer "life-
first self-driving cars could be ready for use changing benefits to people with disabilities." Different road variations
on UK roads this year. They would also help older people deemed While a brand-new dual carriageway may be
Should we be nervous or excited about this unsafe to drive ordinary cars on UK roads due ideal for a driverless vehicle, narrow, winding
development? There are both pros and cons to to diminishing eyesight or mobility. lanes in rural areas, for example, could pose
consider. a challenge. Self-driving cars use radar,
Pros: Cons: camera and laser-based guidance to navigate
different environments safely. Still, the more
Reduced human error Slow-moving traffic complex the road, the more processing power
"Algorithms can't get drunk, drowsy or Research by GreenBiz has indicated that it is needed to understand it.
distracted," said the BBC. And, they're right. could encourage "a lot more driving in the Do the pros outweigh the cons or vice
This technology's primary goal is to create US." A lot more people (as assumed by those versa? The answer at the moment is unclear -
safer vehicles than human-driven cars. Self- who weren't able to drive previously will be until these vehicles are on the road, we won't
driving cars will keep a close eye on speed able to) and longer distances. The first self- know. However, as a garage, it will
and maintain a safe distance from other driving cars may have to remain in the slow undoubtedly be interesting to learn how to
moving cars. The DfT believes these lane, only reaching up to 37mph while in a service these automated cars in the future!
automated cars could improve safety, with single lane. Until the technology progresses,
more than 85% of road accidents in the UK these slow speeds could cause a problem or a Visit www.kbrownautoskingslynn.co.uk
caused by human error. lot of road rage! for more motor news and information
about our services.
Fuel efficiency Hacking risks Call us in Hunstanton on 01485 533786
Driverless vehicles could be better for our We know from experience with desktop or King's Lynn on 01553 763763.
planet. Many models in the making run on computers and mobile phones that all similar
Lions donate books and birdboxes to nine West-Norfolk schools
chool children and their teachers filled Hunstanton Library on “Since the initial launch of the set, three more have been added so
Wednesday 14th September where Hunstanton and District there is now a set of seven with the possibility of another one being
SLions presented them with sets of books described as the number added in the future.
one children’s book series on ocean plastics, climate change and “Our club is donating a complete set to: Hunstanton, Heacham,
humans relationship with animals. Docking, Brancaster, Snettisham, Sandringham and West Newton,
Dersingham, Ingoldisthorpe, and Flitcham schools at a cost of £40 a
set.”
Children from Heacham, Snettisham, Sandringham & West Newton,
Ingoldisthorpe and Flitcham schools with their teachers Louise
Prosser, Joanna Westmorland, Melanie Gibson, Christine Hall
and Clare Brice with Lions Paul Southerton, Sharon Noble Following the presentation by Lions President Sharon Noble, Lion
and Jane Scott Jane Scott and Paul, there was a further surprise as bird box making
kits were produced for the youngsters and teachers and their teachers
Lion Paul Southerton explained: “This is part of a nationwide to put together and take back to their schools where they can be
programme; about four years ago Lions Clubs came up with the idea decorated, installed and then photographed to be entered into a
of making the set of four books available for pupils in infant and junior competition with a prize for the best one.
schools and the content of these was all about protecting the “These boxes are simple to construct and cost less than £2 to make,”
environment, which is one of our global causes. added Paul.