“Driving California Toward a Ticket-Free Future: Autonomous Cars Receive Immunity

According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, driverless cars will not be punished for traffic violations such as failing to yield to pedestrians and speeding. This decision is based on the fact that driverless cars do not have a driver to be held accountable for such violations. The California DMV issued the decision in response to the recent surge of interest in self-driving vehicles, and aims to keep up with the changes in technology. The current rules mean that those driving autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles are not at risk of getting a traffic ticket for violations that the system was programmed to avoid. It is assumed that the technologies that are driving the cars will be able to meet the same traffic laws as traditional motor vehicles. The DMV declared that the decision does not mean people can ignore road rules. This is only meant to protect the operators of driverless cars, as a driverless car does not have a person behind the wheel to issue a ticket to. The department is now working on the development of appropriate laws and regulations for regulating these vehicles, as current laws are not extensive enough to cover driverless cars. The expectation is that driverless cars will be able to obey the existing traffic laws. A person operating the vehicle could still get a ticket for a violation, though, based on whether they were operating the vehicle in a manner that entertained an unnecessary risk. It is also worth noting that a driverless car could still be held liable for causing any damage as a result of disobedient behaviour. This means, for example, that an autonomous car can still be liable for any damage caused by running a red light or even failing to yield while driving. The DMV has stated that it is currently working to ensure that existing laws are sufficient for driverless cars, as the technology and vehicles used are changing rapidly. Driverless cars are slowly becoming more and more common, and the decision from the DMV is a sign of the state’s effort to regulate the technology in a safe and responsible way. All in all, the current decision should be seen as an effort to make sure that driverless cars are immune from traffic tickets, while still ensuring that individuals using the technology are held accountable for any damage they may cause.