Kids Above 10 will be Allowed to Ride Self Driving Cars Alone.

The NYC ordinance has passed a bill this morning which will allow children above the age of 10 to ride self-driving cars alone for the first time. The car will need an internal camera installed, but otherwise the children will be free to ride the car within areas designated as safe by a parent or guardian. 

The bill comes after several successful trials featuring children being given access to driverless cars - the subjects were overwhelmingly positive about the change, with both parents and child feeling a renewed sense of freedom and independence. Legislators hope the measure might increase birth rates across the country by making it easier for parents to balance their career with parenting. 

The move is not without its critics, however, when it emerged that all of the children in one of the trial were from the same private school - and their parents all in the same upper wealth bracket. With the state already phasing out school buses, the question remains as to how children from poorer families will be able to keep up with the trend. 

Manufacturers predict that in just 5 years time human-driven cars will make up less than 1% of vehicles on the road. With the outright ban on human-driven cars already coming into effect on several major highways, some have suggested that human-driven cars may eventually only be permitted in rural areas, with cities and even suburbs transitioning into driverless areas. Drivers will have no other choice than to purchase a driverless car.

Critics have also questioned the safety of children riding driverless cars alone, citing a potential hacking of the vehicles. However manufactures have unanimously argued against this, claiming their cars to be secure and far safer than human-driven cars  releasing the following statement:

 ‘The fact remains that human-error is the most dangerous factor on the roads today. Your children will be safer in our driverless cars than with a tired parent, juggling work and home life - let us remind you that a driverless society is a safe society.’