> demonstrably, but only marginally, safer road users than humans.
I believe the claim is 38 multitudes better than humans, significantly better than marginally.
> accept some increase in traffic fatalities
No. And the question is more about "some" than "some increase"
> accept a slightly higher risk in exchange for tangible time savings?
Texting while driving and even hands free talking were becoming laws in many states before smart phones -- and my experience is that many people readily accept this risk and the legal risk just to communicate faster. The same can be said for the risk of drunk driving -- it's a risk that thousands of Americans take all of the time.
I believe the claim is 38 multitudes better than humans, significantly better than marginally.
> accept some increase in traffic fatalities
No. And the question is more about "some" than "some increase"
> accept a slightly higher risk in exchange for tangible time savings?
Texting while driving and even hands free talking were becoming laws in many states before smart phones -- and my experience is that many people readily accept this risk and the legal risk just to communicate faster. The same can be said for the risk of drunk driving -- it's a risk that thousands of Americans take all of the time.