The idea of a car that drives itself once belonged to science fiction, yet it’s now edging closer to becoming part of everyday life. With governments investing in infrastructure and manufacturers trialling advanced systems, the debate is not so much about whether autonomous vehicles are coming, it’s about whether they’ll be better than us when they get here.

For many drivers, the answer is still no. We trust our instincts, our experience and our judgement behind the wheel. We adapt to unexpected changes in weather, road surfaces or other drivers’ behaviour. We scan, respond, and make snap decisions based on context and cues. The idea that a machine could replicate that – let alone improve upon it – feels far-fetched to some.

But while human drivers may pride themselves on skill, focus and road sense, the reality is more complicated. Most collisions are caused by human error – whether it’s distraction, fatigue, overconfidence or simply a misjudgement. Autonomous systems, by contrast, don’t get tired or angry. They don’t check their phones at traffic lights or take unnecessary risks when overtaking. Equipped with a combination of cameras, radar, lidar and GPS, AI-driven vehicles are capable of scanning in all directions, identifying threats beyond human line of sight, and reacting in milliseconds – all while maintaining the correct speed and distance.

That doesn’t mean they’re perfect. Self-driving systems have yet to reach a point where they can reliably handle every scenario, particularly on complex urban roads or unpredictable rural routes. For instance, potholes, stray animals, sudden obstructions or erratic cyclists remain challenges. And while AI can follow rules with consistency, it can also struggle with ambiguity, which is exactly the kind of uncertainty that humans often interpret by intuition.

What’s becoming clear, though, is that AI isn’t simply trying to mimic human drivers. In many ways, it’s approaching the task differently. Where a person might scan the road ahead and rely on memory or guesswork, autonomous systems constantly map their surroundings, cross-reference live data, and share information with infrastructure and other vehicles. They don’t have good days or bad days – they have code, sensors, and decision-making logic built on millions of miles of test data.

There are, understandably, concerns. Who is responsible if something goes wrong? How do we ensure the safety of a system that learns from its own experience? What happens when machines are forced to make moral choices at 60 mph? These are not simple questions, and legislation is only just starting to catch up. New laws such as the UK’s Automated Vehicles Act are laying the groundwork, but public confidence will take longer to build.

In terms of better, if we mean faster reactions, fewer errors, and more consistently sticking to road rules, then AI is already proving itself. If we mean navigating unpredictable scenarios with the empathy, judgement or instinct of a human, then AI is still in development. What seems most likely is that the future will see us supported as drivers rather than replaced. Much as cruise control and parking sensors have become familiar aids, autonomous systems might take over the driving tasks we find tedious, stressful or repetitive.

So, can AI drive better than we can? In some respects, it already does. In others, it’s still learning. But as the technology matures, the real question may shift from ability to trust. Not whether the car can take over, but whether we’re willing to let it.