STAAR Argumentative ECR

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The Future of Driving




Domino's Pizza self-driving delivery car in Houston, Texas.

 

1    Imagine getting into your car, typing—or, better yet speaking—a location into your vehicle’s computer, then letting it drive you to your destination while you read a book, surf the web, or nap. Self-driving vehicles—the stuff of science fiction since the first roads were paved—are coming, and they’re going to radically change what it’s like to get from point A to point B.  

 

2 Self-driving cars, also known as autonomous1 cars, are vehicles that operate without the need for a human driver. These cars use a combination of sensors, cameras, and computer software to navigate the roads and make decisions. The technology behind self-driving cars has been in development for decades, but it is only in recent years that it has advanced to the point where self-driving cars are becoming a reality.

 

3 One main advantage of self-driving cars is that they may greatly reduce the number of car accidents caused by human error. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 90% of car accidents are caused by human errors, such as distracted driving. Using highly sensitive sensors, self-driving cars can not only detect and avoid obstacles in the road, they can also communicate with other self-driving cars to coordinate their movements. This could lead to safer roads and fewer accidents. The World Health Organization reported self-driving cars may help to reduce the 1.35 million deaths caused by car accidents each year. 

 
4 Another advantage of self-driving cars is that they could make transportation more efficient. For example, self-driving cars can drive in a more coordinated way, which can reduce traffic congestion. Traffic jams could become nearly nonexistent. The cars could also be programmed to take the fastest route to a destination, which can save time for passengers. Additionally, self-driving cars can also help to reduce the amount of fuel consumed by cars. The U.S. Department of Energy reported in 2018 that cars and trucks are responsible for about 20% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. If self-driving cars can reduce fuel consumption, widespread use of self-driving cars could help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

 

5 However, there are also some potential downsides to self-driving cars. A major concern is the security of self-driving cars. As these cars are controlled by software, they are vulnerable to hacking attacks. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the software and systems used in self-driving cars are secure and that the data collected by these cars is protected from cyber threats. If a self-driving car malfunctions or its software is hacked, it could cause a serious accident. There is also the potential that self-driving cars could actually lead to increased traffic, as people may be more likely to live farther away from their work if they don't have to drive themselves. Also, there are concerns about job loss among human drivers, as self-driving cars could replace workers such as truck drivers, delivery drivers, and taxi drivers.

 

6 Overall, self-driving cars have the potential to greatly improve transportation and make the roads safer, but there are also some concerns that need to be addressed. Though it will take many years, experts predict that self-driving cars could eventually become the dominant mode of transportation in the United States, and that human driving will become less common. Although we aren't exactly sure when it'll happen, and as technology continues to improve, there is no doubt that self-driving cars are in our future. 

 

1 autonomous-capable of being operated without human control

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Read the article “The Future of Driving.” Based on the information in the article, write a response to the following:



Based on the information in the article, write an essay in which you argue whether or not self-driving cars are a good idea.



Write a well-organized argumentative essay that uses specific evidence from the article to support your position.



Remember to-

clearly state your claim
organize your writing
develop your ideas in detail
use evidence from the article in your response
use correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar


Manage your time carefully so that you can–

review the selection
plan your response
write your response
revise and edit your response