I can see how you might think that.
But I don't see it happening.
How's car-control gonna work in a nation that can't accept gun-control?
I live in their hat so: their influence + stupid long distances + red-necks who love their trucks to an extent that makes Texans say 'that's kinda weird' = I get to keep driving.
The "think of the children" argument only goes so far. If that was a real concern then cars would have been banned for personal use long ago. Public transit would be a much bigger thing. But it's not.
If someone wants to be safe all the time.. too bad. They can stay in their house.
A life without risk is a life wasted.
I think it could work in a similar way to how the general population has accepted our near total loss of our personal data and privacy.
Maybe they'll let you press the pedals and turn the wheel for your childish amusement, but will add some "safety features" to take control in case you inadvertently do something that puts others' lives at risk. What sort of monster would object to that? And won't it be convenient to just let the car take over at the end of a hard day... I think the degree of total control that will give the big players will prove irresistible.
My concern is mostly with personal freedom: which I think is well worth the risk. You be the tech-loving optimist if you like: I'm expecting the worst.
I think it could work in a similar way to how the general population has accepted our near total loss of our personal data and privacy.
I don't think it compares. We wanted to give up our data. We embraced it, because it came with convenience and other perks.
People will not embrace the banning of manual driving.
but will add some "safety features" to take control in case you inadvertently
That is somewhat happening already. Abs, traction control, backup sensors, etc.
So far though, the market has dictated that any 'sport' vehicle needs to be able to turn a lot of that off.
My bike for example. It has abs brakes, which I can, and do turn off by hitting a couple buttons on the controls.
The reason for that is that abs breaks will help a rookie driver, but will limit a skilled driver.
There is a reason many want control. Because we either can, or perceive that we can, do it better than the computer.
I trust a computer chip for things like 'fly-by-wire'. But I do not trust it to not activate abs while I am leaning hard in a corner. Also, threshold breaking can outperform abs, and engine braking results in less wear and tear on the bike.
Point being: From a sport/enthusiast perspective, the manual control vehicle will never go away.
Eventually it may be curtailed to tracks, but not in my lifetime.
How's car-control gonna work in a nation that can't accept gun-control?
"Driving is a privileged, not a right"
The CA DMV is fond of that mantra.
They can say it.
Doesn't mean anyone believes it.
I'm not trying to argue that we should keep driving, just that we will.
It would be political suicide for a politician to even bring up the idea of banning it.
Over 30,000 people die on American roads each year, the September 11 attacks knocked off about 3000. I think the US govt, google, Ford and GM are quite capable of working with that to get you and your murdering Ducati off the roads, and establish full control of another aspect of your life.
I'm sure you'll be able to drive it around a race track, for a price.