More and more electric car manufacturers are making assisted or autonomous driving systems available to the public. Despite several publicized accidents involving these devices, can we trust them?

• Also read: Tesla is suspending the introduction of driver assistance software

According to Car Guide columnist Antoine Joubert, the answer would be yes.

“When we say autonomous, it means that the driver does nothing,” he explains in an interview with TVA Nouvelles. As time goes by, the more these technologies are developed, the fewer accidents there will be because these systems will contribute to better driving.

“The truth is that thanks to these technologies, many more accidents are likely to be avoided than if we didn’t have them,” he says.

Of the 392 accidents involving electric vehicles reported in the United States last year, 70% involved Teslas, a scary statistic that can be explained by more than just faulty Autopilot software.

The American manufacturer is initially the only one to offer fully autonomous driving technology, while others offer cruise control or straight-ahead autopilot systems with lane changes.

However, this over-representation would be due to the sales success rather than to the avant-garde technologies.

“The brand is overrepresented in sales and there is no other vehicle that offers such advanced technology as Tesla’s,” shared Mr. Joubert.

The expert also points out that the other automated systems are not immune to disruptions.

“Driver assistance systems can cause accidents, as we recently saw with Honda, with a vehicle that braked for no real reason,” he continues.

It will be a few more years before these technologies are widely deployed on our roads, both due to technological development and consumer acceptance.

Elon Musk’s company also recently suspended use of its driver assistance software to fix certain malfunctions.

“Fully autonomous driving isn’t very widespread yet, and Tesla is at the forefront of that,” says the columnist.

170,592 electric cars are currently in circulation in Quebec, accounting for 42% of all electric vehicles in Canada.

Watch the full interview with Antoine Joubert in the video above