Self Driving Cars May Mean The End Of Pedestrian Crosswalks

A report released this week suggests that if self-driving cars become our new normal, it may mean you can jaywalk with impunity again. As if New Yorkers, Chicagoans, and residents of other major cities don’t do so already.

The National Association of City Transportation Officials, a non-profit with represents cities on issues related to transportation, put out a report this week suggesting cities should allow pedestrians to cross streets anywhere, instead of just crosswalks. The report also says self-driving cars would usually be limited to 20 mph and would be able to use pedestrian-detection technology to slow down or stop in order to avoid hitting folks crossing the road.

“The instinctive human act of walking straight to one’s destination, pejoratively known as ‘jaywalking,’ becomes simply ‘walking,’” writes the authors.

TomM - 11/6/2017 10:15:49 AM

+5 Boost

OH NONSENSE - Imagine a computer having to "guess" what every pedestrian will do on every sidewalk in the country IF they could cross anywhere they want to?

I would suggest that until they can imbed a chip into humans that can communicate with cars - that Crosswalks will become even more important.

TheSteve - 11/6/2017 4:13:36 PM

+2 Boost

+1: Agreed! I don't envision the disappearance of crosswalks, or the loosening of related laws. If do imagine fewer fatalities and injuries of people who step into traffic without thinking, though.

Agent009 - 11/6/2017 12:41:34 PM

+3 Boost

Again another think tank that needs to return their diplomas

PUGPROUD - 11/6/2017 4:02:46 PM

0 Boost

Can you imagine the unintended consequences from this...I bet you can!!

SanJoseDriver - 11/20/2017 5:27:33 AM

+1 Boost

This may have a devastating effect on traffic and would only be realistic when 100% of cars are self-driving.