In this blog post, we’ll examine the convenience and safety benefits that the commercialization of self-driving cars will bring, as well as the issues surrounding jobs and liability, and explore the reasons for supporting their commercialization.

How far has the commercialization of self-driving cars progressed?

Thanks to recent advances in science and technology, technologies that operate independently without human intervention are being developed. One such technology—the self-driving car, or autonomous vehicle—has advanced to the point where commercial services carrying actual passengers are already operating in some areas. For example, in the United States, Waymo provides ride-hailing services using driverless autonomous vehicles in several cities and plans to further expand its autonomous driving service areas by 2026. By the end of March 2026, Waymo had collected over 220 million miles of fully autonomous driving data and analyzed that, compared to human drivers in the same areas and time periods, accidents resulting in serious injury or death were 94% lower. Given these examples, the commercialization of driverless cars can no longer be viewed as merely a distant prospect.
However, current autonomous driving technology has not yet reached the stage where it can completely replace human drivers in all situations. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) explains that systems corresponding to driving automation levels 3 through 5 are not yet at a level where general consumers can purchase vehicles and use them anywhere. Therefore, it is appropriate to view current autonomous vehicles as evolving toward limited commercialization in specific areas and under specific conditions, rather than as a technology set to replace all vehicles at once. Despite these technical and regulatory limitations, autonomous driving technology continues to advance, and I support its commercialization because I believe the use of self-driving cars can significantly benefit people’s lives.

Can self-driving cars make people’s lives more convenient?

First, self-driving cars will improve drivers’ quality of life by enabling them to reach their destinations without having to operate the vehicle themselves. Many drivers experience fatigue after driving for long periods in a fixed posture; self-driving cars can reduce this discomfort and alleviate strain on the neck and lower back, thereby helping to protect drivers’ health. Furthermore, since there will be no need for humans to continuously control the vehicle’s movement, the role of driver’s licenses and the process of obtaining them are likely to change in the future. Currently, one must obtain a driver’s license to drive a car, and the licensing process involves procedures such as theory, skills testing, and on-road driving. If autonomous driving technology advances further and vehicles take over most or all of the driving, the driver’s license system will also need to evolve accordingly. The use of autonomous vehicles is thus expected to help protect people’s health and reduce the inconveniences associated with travel.
However, despite these conveniences, some people express concerns about the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles. They argue that if autonomous vehicles come to replace a wide range of existing driving tasks in the future, people working in the transportation industry—such as truck drivers and taxi drivers—could lose their jobs; furthermore, they contend that as the need to drive manually decreases, people will no longer feel the need to develop the skills to operate a vehicle themselves. Furthermore, they argue that if driving skills decline, people may lack the ability to handle unexpected situations where autonomous driving systems fail to function properly, which could increase the risks associated with driving.
While the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles may lead to these adverse effects, measures can be put in place to address them. First, even if jobs in the transportation industry decrease, new jobs could be created in fields such as autonomous vehicle maintenance, safety and security management, software development, and technical support; thus, a variety of alternative jobs—ranging from specialized professions to those required for technical support and management—are likely to emerge.
Furthermore, even if the existing driver’s license system is not maintained as is, new training or certification programs could be introduced to verify users’ ability to operate autonomous driving systems and respond to emergency situations; this would likely create new jobs in related training and management fields.

Can self-driving cars reduce traffic accidents?

Self-driving cars offer advantages beyond mere convenience. Specifically, they have the potential to create a safer road environment by reducing the risk of accidents and alleviating driver fatigue. Many traffic accidents stem from human judgment and behavior, such as driver inattention, drowsy driving, drunk driving, and speeding. In contrast, when vehicles drive autonomously, accidents caused by human driver issues—such as drowsiness, intoxication, or lapses in attention—can be reduced. In fact, recent analyses of autonomous vehicle safety have reported a significant reduction in serious accidents compared to those involving human drivers. Waymo analyzed over 220 million miles of fully autonomous driving data through the end of March 2026 and found that, compared to human drivers, accidents resulting in serious injury or death were 94% fewer, and accidents resulting in injuries were 82% fewer. Of course, since these results are based on an analysis of a specific company’s operations in specific regions and under specific conditions, they cannot be applied uniformly to all autonomous vehicles and all road environments. However, they are significant in that they demonstrate the potential for autonomous vehicles not only to enhance human convenience but also to reduce traffic accidents and protect human lives.
However, opponents of the commercialization of self-driving cars argue that it is difficult to apply the finding that autonomous driving technology can reduce traffic accidents to all situations. In particular, they question how the system would actually respond if a technical malfunction occurred while driving or if an unexpected situation arose due to errors in sensors, software, or communication systems. If vehicle occupants lack adequate knowledge of the technical aspects—including how the autonomous vehicle operates—the risk of a traffic accident could actually increase in the event of an unexpected situation. Opponents express concern that, although various companies have been conducting experiments and actual operations with autonomous vehicles to date, it is difficult to conclude that the technology has been sufficiently validated to handle diverse road environments and unpredictable emergencies in all situations. Therefore, to address these concerns, rather than relying on a single company or a single set of research results, repeated testing and verification must be conducted across diverse environments. The most appropriate course of action at this time would be to gradually expand the scope of commercialization only after ongoing safety research and institutional reviews have been completed.

How can the risks of self-driving cars be addressed?

Given these numerous concerns, it is only natural that those opposed to the commercialization of self-driving cars feel apprehensive. However, a significant portion of current traffic accidents is influenced by factors related to human behavior, such as driver inattention, traffic violations, drowsy driving, and drunk driving. The number of traffic accident fatalities in South Korea has been steadily decreasing; according to the Korea Road Traffic Authority, the number of traffic fatalities in 2024 was 2,521, the lowest level since official records began in 1970. Furthermore, the number of drunk-driving accidents in 2024 was 11,037, a 15.4% decrease from the previous year. These statistics demonstrate that road safety levels are continuously improving, while also highlighting the ongoing importance of improving human driving behavior and the traffic environment. Therefore, if autonomous vehicles can reduce accidents stemming from driver judgment and behavior, they have the potential to significantly contribute to improved road safety. Of course, there is also the possibility of new types of accidents arising from technical defects in autonomous vehicles; therefore, we must not simply replace human driver errors with machine errors. If autonomous driving systems are thoroughly tested to ensure they operate reliably in various situations, and if performance is improved through continuous analysis of technical defects and accident patterns, the safety of autonomous vehicles can be further enhanced.
Advances in technology can resolve a significant portion of the issues surrounding traffic accidents. However, opponents of autonomous vehicles argue against their commercialization, citing the need for clear criteria to determine whether liability for traffic accidents lies with the machine or with the vehicle owner. In other words, while a vehicle defect may be the cause of an accident, there is potential for controversy over whether liability ultimately lies with the vehicle owner for failing to maintain the vehicle properly, or whether the manufacturer or system operator should be held responsible due to a mechanical malfunction. However, this is also an institutional issue that must be resolved alongside the advancement of autonomous driving technology. Therefore, if the government and the National Assembly work together to improve vehicle functionality while simultaneously revising laws and regulations related to autonomous vehicles, it will be possible to adequately address potential risks. Furthermore, I believe that imposing an obligation on vehicle owners to continuously perform necessary maintenance—such as software updates and regular inspections—could also resolve, to some extent, the concerns raised by those opposed to commercialization.

How should the commercialization of driverless cars proceed?

As shown above, concerns regarding the commercialization of driverless cars exist, and many people remain reluctant to expand their use due to these issues. However, autonomous driving technology has already advanced to the point where commercial services carrying actual passengers are operating in some regions, and it is highly likely that both technology and regulations will continue to evolve together. Therefore, rather than simply supporting or opposing the commercialization of driverless cars, it is important to expand their use in stages, starting with areas where safety has been sufficiently verified. In this process, we must continuously advance and refine the technology while simultaneously establishing the road infrastructure and the legal and regulatory framework necessary for driverless cars to operate. Furthermore, we must clearly define who bears responsibility and the scope of liability in the event of an accident, and develop measures to address the resulting changes in employment for transportation industry workers. I believe that if these conditions are sufficiently met, the commercialization of driverless cars will not only make people’s travel more convenient but also contribute to improving traffic safety and quality of life.