A few self-driving cars have already hit the road, but it won’t be long until they’re the norm. It’s projected that 95-percent of new vehicles sold by 2040 will be self-driving.

It’s kind of scary. We all like to feel like we’re in control, and being behind the wheel is one of the biggest responsibilities we have.

Fortunately, there are plenty of good things about autonomous vehicles too. Here are five big ways self-driving cars will change your life for the better.

No More Costs Associated with Owning and Driving a Vehicle

Owning a car can provide you with tons of freedom to go anywhere you want, whenever you want. Unfortunately, it can be a hassle too.

Today, it’s important that you learn about the rules of the road with a practice permit test, which costs students a lot of time. You have to pay to maintain your license, pay for regular maintenance on your vehicle, and make costly repairs when they’re needed. Don’t forget about car insurance!

For most people, there will be no need to purchase their own vehicle and spend the time maintaining it. Instead, many areas will treat vehicle use as a subscription service. Simply call on a vehicle when you need it, and send it away when you don’t. That means there’s no need to go into debt to buy a car, and there’s no need to wonder where you’re going to get the money to make that repair.

Spend a Lot Less Time in Traffic

It seems traffic records are broken each holiday season, but it isn’t just Thanksgiving and Christmas that will have you grunting in frustration behind the wheel. Many people spend countless hours in the car each and every year stuck in traffic on the way to or from work.

You won’t spend nearly as much time in traffic when self-driving cars are the norm. A road full of cars communicating with each other means congestion won’t build up in the first place. You’ll get to work quicker, and you’ll get home a lot quicker.

Live Further Away from Work

Most people spend a lot of time talking about the benefits of living close to work, and most of them involve spending less time and money on transportation. It turns out, there are actually plenty of reasons to live far away from home too, and self-driving cars can make it possible.

Without being directly responsible for the operation of the vehicle, you won’t start your day stressing about traffic. Not to mention, you’ll spend a lot less time on the road because traffic moves smoothly. Depending on where you live, you could have a house further from work, but spend the same time in the vehicle getting there.

Relax in a Mobile Living Room

If there’s no need for you to operate a steering wheel, there’s no need for there to be one in the car! Eventually, there won’t be. Instead, a self-driving car will be a lot more like a living room, which means there are all kinds of things you can do while waiting to arrive at your destination.

A few of the things you’ll do in a self-driving car include:

• Grooming, like doing your hair or makeup
• Socializing with friends and family
• Checking work emails and conducting meetings
• Watching a movie or play a game

A self-driving car will make long road trips more bearable too. Instead of pulling over in the evening to rest up and hit the road again in the morning, you can spend your time sleeping in the car while it’s taking you to your destination.

Safer and Healthier Living

Self-driving cars have made the news recently for accidents they’ve caused, but the truth is, autonomous vehicles are still safer than manually operated vehicles. Eventually, accidents will all but be eliminated, saving tens of thousands of lives each year.

That’s not the only way self-driving cars will make life safer and healthier. Car chases will be eliminated and committing crimes that require a getaway vehicle will become much more difficult.

Autonomous vehicles are projected to be better for the environment too. Many, if not all, of them will be electric, and with fewer vehicles needed because multiple people are sharing the same car through rideshare programs, they’ll create fewer emissions.

It’s normal to be a bit scared of self-driving cars. Change is always a little scary, but these unique vehicles are poised to make our lives much better. We just have to get used to them first!