For the past few years, there has been talk about self-driving cars, and now it seems like it’s becoming a reality. Although a self-driving car is exciting, it’s definitely a process that shouldn’t be rushed. It’s a huge advancement in everyday technology and machinery. It needs to be treated with proper responsibility. It’s not like the next time you head out to buy a car, there will be a self-driving car available to purchase. They’re certainly not going to be available to the public within the next few months, and that’s a good thing. Here are some reasons why.

As mentioned above, an advanced piece of machinery requires responsibility. And us humans are known to be reckless, borderline abusive. Even though self-driving cars can save money and possibly lives, most car accidents are the result of reckless behavior. An estimated 81 percent of car crashes are a result of human error. And there are unsurprisingly plenty of idiotic people who wouldn’t waste any time in abusing a self-driving car.

Technology may slowly be advancing, but it still has a way to go. Self-driving cars are possible, but a person is still required to be present to test the progress that has been made. They might have the ability to drive and turn on their own, but they don’t have a sense of surroundings like humans do. If an unsupervised kid or pet were to run out into the road, the car wouldn’t know to stop. It would need the ability to detect an object in its path.

Not everyone may be open to change depending on what that change involves. Young adults and teenagers will obviously be excited about self-driving cars becoming a thing. It’s cool, interesting, and gives the sense of technology becoming self-aware. Middle-aged people may not be so enthusiastic about it. We’ve been driving cars for decades now. Although it may be interesting to check out a self-driving car, some of us may prefer having complete control.

Although self-driving cars are becoming possible, they’re currently a work in progress. They may not be fully ready for another five to ten years. Once they are ready, we can only hope that more of the public will be ready for the responsibility. Those people will have a better understanding of responsibility and consequences.