[SoftwareMaven]

I ride a motorcycle. Every. Single. Time. I go for a ride, I am forced to contend with somebody in a cage making a dangerous move due to either inattention or carelessness. Worse, even conscientious drivers can completely fail to see a motorcycle (or a bicycle or a kid) due to the way the brain processes vision. When you contend with this on a daily basis, you realize how valuable it would be to have somebody driving who is always paying attention and doesn't have vision holes.

Yes, bugs are a real possibility, but compare the number of miles Google has driven and the number of accidents they've had with the general public, and it compares unbelievably well, especially for such a new technology.

Finally, the NSA doesn't need your car to track you. Between your phone, your license plate and your face, you would have a hard time going off grid.

[voicereasonish]

Funny. Whenever I see a motorcycle, it's being driven recklessly and dangerously. So from my point of view, if you want to make roads safer, get rid of motorcycles first.

[SoftwareMaven]

That's called confirmation bias and is a horrible way to build policy. I would, however, fully support regulations that required more education and smaller bikes for new riders. Even solo-riding age limits (can't ride alone until you have son much experience and age) could be useful. Squidly behavior (stunting and the like) should not be tolerated (more closed circuit roads would help, as it did with drag racing).

However, regardless of how bad somebody is riding, when something goes wrong, the rider always loses. Also, something that may seem "dangerous and aggressive" to you may be the best way for a rider to get out of a dangerous situation. I use the acceleration and maneuverability of my bike to escape e.g. being boxed in by large trucks on the freeway. I'm just taking advantage of the escape hatch before something goes catastrophically wrong.

[voicereasonish]

I have seen a few crashes involving motorcycles not paying attention or taking unreasonable risks. Overtaking on blind bends etc. I haven't seen anywhere near the same number of crashes involving cars.

Is that confirmation bias as well?