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"the answer"
No.
But there is a scenario where AVs are part of the answer. I realise humans are shit, but we are still capable of implementing multiple measures, at the same time, in conjunction with each other.
AVs should be there to mitigate the risk of the driving journeys we can't eliminate.
The_Seldom_Killer-
I can't see how they can do this. I don't buy the line that they will reduce the risk.
Computers can never be as good as a human at recognising and reacting to risk in our almost infinitely variable streets. Robots only work in strictly controlled environments and they are only as good as their programming and processing and can only work to the scenarios they have. They are shit at pattern recognition, language ability, abstraction, creative thought, 3d processing, anticipation, imagination and so many of the other thought processes that make up the main part of driving safely.Robots are brilliant at making the car work, but that's only 10% of driving. They can't be brilliant at reading the road and conditions, anticipating what might happen, recognising developing hazards and all the rest of it. If driverless cars are to become a safe everyday reality it will have to be on strictly controlled roads away from pedestrians, cyclists, etc. That basically means banning cycling on the road, introducing jaywalking laws, etc.
bq
There isn't a scenario for which self-driving cars are the answer. All it will result in is there being even more cars on the road, because now the one barrier to being able to drive one will be removed. It's an agenda being driven by those who stand to profit from them.