I do not believe "it's as dangerous as a human driver" is a good reason to look past all the problems with self-driving cars. There should be a higher standard than that.
Let's not forget that the companies that develop and lobby for self driving cars do it for profit. Whatever safety qualities they may or may not have are there to deliver and maximize profit. At this point in time.
Public transport is a safer alternative but not as profitable
I completely agree that self-driving and electric cars aren't the answer but investing in public transport is. You won't get an argument out of me about that.
If X is already allowed, Y is a replacement for X, and Y is safer than X, then why wouldn't you want to allow Y?
Why? And what are "all the problems with self-driving cars"?