Turns out YOU are the reason we can't have nice things! The real reason why self driving cars still aren't for sale

The technology works, and the laws are ready to change. So why don't we have these cars?

It turns out you are the reason we can't have nice things. Mercedes Benz CEO, Deitmar Exler told people at AutoConference LA, that humans, not technology, are the reason why self-driving cars are not quite available now.

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - Self-driving car technology is already really good. In fact, it's probably good enough that if we all adopted self-driving cars simultaneously, road fatalities, and fuel use would decline by a whopping 90 percent.

Most people have little idea just how good self-driving car technology is, or how rapidly it's advancing. Every major auto manufacturer has their own program now and all of them envision self-driving cars becoming the norm within the next few decades.

So if the technology is so good, then why isn't it out there now? Mercedes Benz CEO, Deitmar Exler told people at the AutoConference LA show that the reason is humans.

Exler said they are worried that humans will bully self-driving cars.

Self-driving cars will be programmed to be polite and to put safety first. This puts them at a disadvantage against aggressive humans. Exler used the example of a human driver who attempts to cut in line. For most people, a sense of righteous justice kicks in and cars close ranks to prevent the line cutter from crowding. However, such a person could simple look for the autonomous car, and easily cut in front of it.

Others fear humans may attempt to force self-driving cars to miss turns and offramps, or even force them into an accident. Such attempts could be dangerous to any human occupants.

Exler made clear that humans were the last hurdle. He denied that it was technology, insurance or law that is holding up the progress. "I'm a lawyer myself. We will solve these issues out," he said speaking of legal obstacles.

He also made clear that virtually everybody who has been in a self-driving car wants one.

The problem remains highway bullies.

Solutions to the problem are in the works. One easy fix would be to make the self-driving cars more aggressive, so they drive like actual humans do. However, this is unlikely. An aggressive car is more likely to crash or cause harm.

Another solution is to dedicate lanes of traffic for self-driving vehicles. Washington state is about to dedicate a modest portion of I-5 interstate to test the theory.

Eventually, self-driving cars will be made available. Demand is very high and the technology works. But humans may share the road with self-driving cars for at least three decades. During that time, it will be humans, not the machines that we will need to watch out for.

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