If you watch the news, you have probably been hearing a lot about Tesla and self-driving cars. Everyday we are getting a little bit closer to becoming a country where autonomous vehicles are driving on our streets. As with any new technology, there is bound to be a certain amount of trepidation. If you are excited about the future, but left wondering whether these vehicles are safe yet and what kind of legislation is in place to protect consumers, here is what you need to know:
Where the Technology Stands Now
Beginning in January of 2018, Michigan became the first state to allow autonomous cars to be tested without a human driver at the wheel. On February 26th, 2018, the California Office of Administrative Law also decided to allow fully driverless cars on the road. Starting on April 2nd, the state’s DMV will be able to hand out permits to companies who meet a few requirements, including:
- Companies must alert areas where they will be testing
- Companies must have a process in place where law enforcement can communicate with vehicles
- Companies must provide a “law enforcement interaction plan” so that there is a clear procedure in place
- Any collision reports must be submitted to the DMV within 10 days
As of now, it is unclear how many companies will be able to comply with regulations and begin the application and testing process. Currently, there are fifty companies in California alone that are authorized to test cars with a human driver.
Where are Driverless Cars Allowed?
While California has earned a reputation for leading the way when it comes to testing and progressive legislation, Detroit, also known as the Motor City has quietly been advocating for driverless cars. In total, 26 states now allow autonomous cars to be tested with the presence of a human driver. As the ability to test in real-life road conditions becomes more common, the technology is sure to advance even faster.
Autonomous Car Liability Law
It almost seems pointless to discuss the specific laws in place regulating autonomous cars because they are evolving so quickly and vary from state to state. What is interesting is that this new technology is giving rise to a whole new area of law known as autonomous car liability. This field while help shape and argue for laws and protections that will determine who is liable in the event that a driverless car is involved in an accident.
Are Autonomous Cars Safe?
It all depends on your perspective. Yes, the technology is advancing quickly, and these cars will soon be a part of our transportation landscape. Will they completely prevent accidents? No, but they are expected to significantly reduce collisions. It is all a matter of what you consider safe enough to be on the road. Is the standard that they have to be as safe as current drivers? Should they be 10% safer or 25% safer before they are allowed on the road? These are issued that will surely be debated in the coming years, especially as autonomous liability law evolves.
