The reading passage argues that driverless cars will revolutionize transportation by making roads safer, reducing traffic congestion, and lowering costs. However, the professor in the lecture disputes this claim by highlighting potential problems with self-driving technology. First, the reading claims that autonomous vehicles will drastically improve road safety by eliminating human errors, such as speeding and distracted driving. However, the professor refutes this by explaining that driverless car technology is not yet reliable enough to prevent accidents. He points out that self-driving systems sometimes fail to correctly interpret unpredictable situations, such as sudden pedestrian movements or bad weather conditions, which could still result in collisions. Second, the reading suggests that self-driving cars will reduce traffic congestion because they can communicate with each other and make more efficient driving decisions. In contrast, the professor argues that the widespread adoption of driverless cars could actually increase traffic. He explains that since these cars make travel easier and more convenient, more people might use them instead of public transportation. This could lead to even more vehicles on the road, ultimately worsening congestion instead of reducing it. Finally, the reading states that autonomous cars will lower transportation costs for individuals by reducing expenses related to fuel, insurance, and car maintenance. However, the professor challenges this claim by stating that the initial cost of self-driving technology is extremely high. He mentions that the advanced sensors and artificial intelligence required for these vehicles make them far more expensive than regular cars. Additionally, he notes that the cost of repairing such complex technology would be significantly higher than traditional vehicle repairs. In conclusion, while the reading passage presents an optimistic view of driverless cars, the professor disagrees by arguing that they are not yet reliable enough to improve safety, could lead to increased traffic, and may be too costly for widespread adoption.