General Discussion

Erich Bloodaxe BSN

(14,733 posts)

30. Interesting legal questions arise.

Mon Sep 8, 2014, 09:15 PM

Sep 2014

When 'driverless cars' are in accidents, who gets sued? The owner? The manufacturer? The programming team? And on a related note, are they assumed to have less 'fault' than other driver(s) involved? Is it assumed that 'fault' must lie with the regular old human drivers? Will they be programmed to attempt to avoid running over animals or humans on the road? What happens if they suddenly try to avoid hitting a squirrel or a deer on a highway, and effectively 'slam on the brakes' at 65 miles an hour?

With human drivers, I can often see cues in the drivers' body language that let me know they're likely going to be braking even before they do, or that they might be planning to switch lanes, or slow down or speed up. With a driverless car, that won't happen.

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Can anyone tell me why "driverless cars" will not be the most important issue in 2016 election [View all] CK_John Sep 2014 OP

Who can afford a freaking Cadillac? Skidmore Sep 2014 #1

Cadillac is not the issue, its auto technology. CK_John Sep 2014 #18

Why would automotive technology ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2014 #41

Erm, because not being able to afford fancy cars ... or food, medicine, shelter is more important? REP Sep 2014 #2

Agree wholeheartedly. Louisiana1976 Sep 2014 #3

Is that anything like tooeyeten Sep 2014 #4

Everyone knows that "you kids get off my lawn" will be the main issue. FSogol Sep 2014 #5

People are more worried about gainful employment than Cadillacs Mercy_Queen Sep 2014 #6

Because none of the major stakeholdrs would use that election as a venue. Exultant Democracy Sep 2014 #7

The robots will slowly take over and you won't hardly notice. Warren Stupidity Sep 2014 #8

Ask a receptionist if robots can take over a job AngryAmish Sep 2014 #109

Because it's two years away and driverless cars aren't going to be popular. arcane1 Sep 2014 #9

Google has over 800,000 miles without any problems in live testing. CK_John Sep 2014 #21

The GM model with the ignition switch problem has tens of millions of miles jberryhill Sep 2014 #77

and people still cause many many times more accidents than all recalls combined. whatthehey Sep 2014 #104

Actually, they had one wreck where the car went the wrong way on a one way street, IIRC. FSogol Sep 2014 #119

Ending the commute won't be popular? DireStrike Sep 2014 #34

That's called "bus" and "train." And the commute is still there. WinkyDink Sep 2014 #88

only for a tiny fraction of the nation whatthehey Sep 2014 #103

Once I moved out of New York I saw how completely inadequate other transit systems are. DireStrike Sep 2014 #106

I don't want a driverless car. It would only become an issue if they try to take the ones I have. Throd Sep 2014 #10

Well, Im a drunk. AngryAmish Sep 2014 #20

ahahahahha..I think that's the first time I've laughed in 3 days..thanks for that. Volaris Sep 2014 #50

well, are you predicting they will be? CreekDog Sep 2014 #11

Well GM will need a legal process from every state to put those autos on the roads and CK_John Sep 2014 #16

so you're predicting it won't be the biggest issue of 2016 CreekDog Sep 2014 #22

IMO, it will be the biggest issue of 2016. CK_John Sep 2014 #38

Bigger than ... say ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2014 #43

Those issues are for DU type junkies, get between a voter and their car lookout. CK_John Sep 2014 #47

Oh you must be pulling our legs yeoman6987 Sep 2014 #62

That's a rather creative prophecy, but not really anything more than that... LanternWaste Sep 2014 #83

What is the "issue"? jberryhill Sep 2014 #12

Driverless cars. CK_John Sep 2014 #17

ah, yes, who can forget the 1952 pop tart debate! jberryhill Sep 2014 #65

Because car-less drivers and jobless workers are more important issues IDemo Sep 2014 #13

Definitely. LuvNewcastle Sep 2014 #15

How many jobless workers do you think there will be with driverless cars? former9thward Sep 2014 #113

Delivery drivers? GummyBearz Sep 2014 #116

It will be worked out. former9thward Sep 2014 #122

I can see it now GP6971 Sep 2014 #14

So far driverless cars have a perfect record. DireStrike Sep 2014 #35

If there isn't a partisan disagreement, why would it be an important election issue? tritsofme Sep 2014 #19

State revenue and the billions floating around for influence peddling. CK_John Sep 2014 #24

Nah. Hopefully the lobbyists make it a non-issue pretty quickly. conservaphobe Sep 2014 #23

Not enough voters can afford one fadedrose Sep 2014 #25

Its not just GM, all auto models are being readied for market. CK_John Sep 2014 #26

Am 76 - Driving is harder, too many cars, etc... fadedrose Sep 2014 #29

I'm only 2yrs behind you and hope I'll be here for 2016 elections. CK_John Sep 2014 #40

This won't be even a tiny issue in the 2016 election cycle. SheilaT Sep 2014 #27

No infrastructure is needed and Google is testing in CA and Nev. Link with CK_John Sep 2014 #32

Is there something about driverless cars that Republicans and Democrats disagree on? Nye Bevan Sep 2014 #28

Interesting legal questions arise. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Sep 2014 #30

There is no reason that can't happen. DireStrike Sep 2014 #37

The brain is not a "machine." That's trans-humanist propaganda. WinkyDink Sep 2014 #89

Ok. I guess you prefer religious propaganda? DireStrike Sep 2014 #107

To your last point... jberryhill Sep 2014 #82

Because people don't care... brooklynite Sep 2014 #31

I don't see this kind of automation being a thing BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #33

5 states and DC have already passes laws allowing driverless cars, the auto lobby CK_John Sep 2014 #36

If it becomes widespread BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #39

Millions of jobs of taxi, freight, and delivery will be effected. IMO, the GOP will benefit the most CK_John Sep 2014 #42

Freightliner is already working on semi-automated heavy trucks. Xithras Sep 2014 #95

All good points! kentauros Sep 2014 #114

Good, they should be devoting more attention to public transportation anyway. arcane1 Sep 2014 #44

I remember when customerserviceguy Sep 2014 #45

It will happen, no doubt about it. nt Logical Sep 2014 #46

Eventually, yes customerserviceguy Sep 2014 #49

Google has put millions of miles on theirs, no accidents yet. nt Logical Sep 2014 #54

Is Google telling us it plans customerserviceguy Sep 2014 #55

Yep, Google says its goal is to get the technology to the public by 2017, Logical Sep 2014 #59

So, then customerserviceguy Sep 2014 #68

"...only if intricate preparations have been made beforehand, with the car’s exact route, including Chathamization Sep 2014 #58

Which they also have a plan for! nt Logical Sep 2014 #60

Google and other tech companies have lots of "plans". Let's see them implement them before jumping Chathamization Sep 2014 #63

The data base will have to be updated continually. rickford66 Sep 2014 #101

The human body will simply explode at too high a velocity (nt) Nye Bevan Sep 2014 #48

Leaving nothing left on planet Earth but endlessly driving, automated cars. randome Sep 2014 #72

Because "flying cars" have been in line since BEFORE the JETSONS!!!! nt MADem Sep 2014 #51

I don't understand why you think it's an issue at all. Codeine Sep 2014 #52

Because we already have them. They're called "Camry owners" flvegan Sep 2014 #53

Really? Egnever Sep 2014 #64

Nope. I like driving. REP Sep 2014 #96

Oh my goodness, yes I can. flvegan Sep 2014 #112

The driverless car technology has been in the works for years Algernon Moncrieff Sep 2014 #56

Rubber on concrete is a foolish way to move freight long distances jberryhill Sep 2014 #76

Clowns, mostly. 2016 will be the year of clowns. Zombie clowns. NYC_SKP Sep 2014 #57

I love the idea of a driverless car yeoman6987 Sep 2014 #61

Why is everyone so excited about this? BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #66

They're excited for the benefits of lives saved kcr Sep 2014 #71

The jobs are lost for good BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #86

If job loss were never acceptable we'd be stuck in the dark ages kcr Sep 2014 #90

I want to clarify that I'm not saying, "Job loss no biggy" kcr Sep 2014 #93

There is no benefit BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #110

That's what I meant by more so now than in the past kcr Sep 2014 #115

Google and Uber will.merge to form Goober jberryhill Sep 2014 #67

You neglect to mention the Flying Car Question!! hatrack Sep 2014 #69

Exactly Capt. Obvious Sep 2014 #70

Have you seen the leaked PR images from the Romney 2016 campaign team? hatrack Sep 2014 #73

Mitts' father was chairman of American Motors in the 60's and Mitt will try to ride this issue CK_John Sep 2014 #81

We're all supposed to be driving them by October of next year. Tommy_Carcetti Sep 2014 #99

Fukin' A! Glassunion Sep 2014 #105

But if each state receives beer and travel money, it might work out OK! hatrack Sep 2014 #74

Because it is not an important issue. MineralMan Sep 2014 #75

Will the driverless cars float? tularetom Sep 2014 #78

They will swim, fly, drive and land you on the fucking Moon! In Version 2. randome Sep 2014 #79

What would you do if you saw a driverless car with an ISIS logo and t-rex arms in a K-Mart? hatrack Sep 2014 #80

Car Wars. randome Sep 2014 #84

Give it a rest. CK_John Sep 2014 #85

I don't get it. I like to drive. Many people do. WinkyDink Sep 2014 #87

LOL. La Lioness Priyanka Sep 2014 #91

Most public buses are driverless Koch Ebola Sep 2014 #92

Where are public buses without drivers? Welcome to DU uppityperson Sep 2014 #102

Most? I did hear of a national park out west somewhere that has a driverless* bus system FSogol Sep 2014 #120

When I'm stuck in traffic on I-95, I wish all cars were automated. alarimer Sep 2014 #94

Jobs. Wars. Air. Water. Money in Politics. demwing Sep 2014 #97

Clearly the biggest issue will be breastfeeding pitbulls at Olive Garden. nt Tommy_Carcetti Sep 2014 #98

This is going to be "The Issue" in your mind? Savannahmann Sep 2014 #100

And yet the subways and trains keep going with relatively few problems. randome Sep 2014 #121

Translation: Technology scares me. FSogol Sep 2014 #108

Well, to be honest BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #111

Ayup. Warren DeMontague Sep 2014 #117

Because our political process lags well behind social as well as technological change. Warren DeMontague Sep 2014 #118