Self-driving cars are designed to prevent crashes by removing human mistakes. They use technology to drive themselves or help drivers stay safe.
This article discusses how safe they are compared to human drivers, what self-driving cars are, how much they can drive, where they are tested—especially in Houston—what people think about them, and what problems still need fixing.
How Safe Are Self-Driving Cars?
How safe are self-driving cars? According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), one of the main benefits of more vehicle automation is improved safety. These technologies could help reduce crashes, prevent injuries, and save lives by cutting out human mistakes.
Right now, it’s hard to directly compare self-driving cars to human drivers. There are very few self-driving cars on the road compared to regular cars. The limited data shows self-driving cars have more crashes per mile, but most crashes cause only minor damage and few injuries.
Data from the NHTSA show a rise in self-driving car accidents since 2021. This likely reflects the growing number of these vehicles on the roads. So far, less than 5,000 crashes have been reported, with most causing no injuries. Fewer than 10 serious injuries and only 1 death have been linked to self-driving cars.
As of July 2025, Waymo has reported almost 1,200 accidents—more than any other self-driving company. But Waymo says their cars are much safer than human drivers in the same cities. Their data shows:
- 78% fewer injury crashes
- 88% fewer serious injury crashes
- 81% fewer bicyclist injury crashes
- 86% fewer motorcycle injury crashes
- 93% fewer pedestrian injury crashes
In comparison, according to Traffic Safety Facts, over 6 million crashes involved human drivers in 2023 alone. These crashes caused about 2.5 million injuries and more than 40,000 deaths. Nearly 95% of these accidents were due to human error.
Self-driving cars may have more minor crashes per mile, but early data shows they cause far fewer serious injuries than human drivers. By reducing human error—the cause of most accidents—these technologies could save thousands of lives.
What is a Self-Driving Car?
A self-driving car is a vehicle that can do all the tasks of driving without help from a human. Some cars sold in the U.S. today have driver assistance features that make driving safer, but a human is still needed to stay in control.
SAE International (formerly the Society of Automotive Engineers), a global group that sets vehicle standards, has defined six levels of automation. Levels 0 to 2 help the driver but do not fully take over. Levels 3 to 5 can take control of the car in certain situations when the system is turned on.
Levels of Automation
Levels of Automation- Level 0 – Just warning lights or signals.
- Level 1 – Help with steering or
- Level 2 – Help with both steering and
- Level 3 – The car can drive itself in certain situations, but the human must be ready to take over.
- Level 4 – The car drives itself within fixed routes or specific areas without human help.
- Level 5 – Fully self‑driving everywhere, with no limits (not yet real).
Level 2 automation is the most advanced system currently available in most vehicles. Some automakers are now offering Level 3 features, but only in limited areas of the U.S. and Europe.
Level 3 cars can drive themselves in certain conditions, but the driver must stay alert and be ready to take control. These systems can steer, follow a route, and control speed. If the car runs into a situation it can’t handle, it will warn the driver to take over or bring the vehicle to a safe stop.
Mercedes-Benz is the only company in the U.S. that offers Level 3 DRIVE PILOT technology. Two of its models are approved for use on highways in California and parts of Nevada.
Level 4 self-driving cars are already being used in some U.S. cities for rideshare and shuttle services. These cars can fully drive themselves on set routes in specific areas—without any help from a driver. A Level 5 vehicle, which can drive anywhere without any limits or human input, does not exist yet.
Level 4 vehicles can fully drive themselves on set routes without any driver help, but a true Level 5 car that can go anywhere on its own doesn’t exist yet.
Self-Driving Cars in Houston
Texas has welcomed self-driving technology companies, and many are testing or operating in the state.
Houston has its own autonomous trucking company called Bot Auto. Founded in 2023, Bot Auto runs a small fleet of Level 4 self-driving freight trucks. These trucks use cameras and sensors to drive themselves on Interstate 10 between West Houston and East San Antonio. While there is no driver behind the wheel, a human rides along for safety.
In May, Aurora Innovation began running fully automated semi-trucks on a 240-mile route between Dallas and Houston. These trucks drive without a safety driver onboard, after more than four years of supervised testing.
Waymo, a company known for self-driving ride-hailing, began testing its vehicles around Houston this summer. However, they do not yet offer rides in Houston.
Waymo currently operates in Austin and is looking to expand to other Texas cities.
Many people are still unsure about trusting self-driving cars. A recent AAA survey found that only 13% of drivers said they would feel safe riding in a self-driving car. Most drivers want car makers to focus more on safety features that help humans drive, rather than fully self-driving technology.
Only 13% of drivers said they would feel safe riding in a self-driving car.
The survey also showed that while about 75% of drivers know self-driving cars are already operating in some cities for rideshare services, more than half said they would not choose to ride in one.
Why Self-Driving Cars Still Face Big Challenges
Self‑driving cars must see things around them, understand what those things are doing, and react correctly. They rely on past data and programming. If a new or unexpected situation arises, the system might not always respond well.
Unlike humans, they can’t improvise in the moment. Rare or unusual events—like strange road layouts, unexpected obstacles, or odd weather—are hard to fully prepare for.
Because serious injury or worse can happen, many people remain wary. For self‑driving tech to become widely accepted, developers must prove the systems are reliable and safe in many more scenarios.