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From page 26 of the NHTSA's report[1]: >The Model State Policy confirms that States retain their traditional responsibilities for vehicle licensing and registr
by WiseWeasel 8y ago
From page 26 of the NHTSA's report[1]:
>The Model State Policy confirms that
States retain their traditional responsibilities
for vehicle licensing and registration, traffic
laws and enforcement, and motor vehicle
insurance and liability regimes while outlining
the Federal role for HAVs.
Surely, liability for Level 4 autonomy vehicles would be borne by the car's manufacturer, rather than the operator. Is that maybe one of the more controversial aspects separating the definitions of Level 4 and 5 autonomy? I'm surprised this would remain unregulated at the federal level.
[1] https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.dot.gov/files/documents/12532-nhtsa-strategicplan-2016-2020.pdf https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.dot.gov/files/documents/12...
- ams6110 8y agoLiability generally goes with the owner of the vehicle, not the manufacturer or the operator (with some exceptions perhaps for proven manufacturing defects).
- WiseWeasel 8y agoWhy would the operator be liable for an accident for which they’re powerless to have prevented?
- jhasse 8y agoThey could have prevented it by not buying a self-driving car.
- WiseWeasel 8y agoThe manufacturer could have prevented it by supplying a vehicle capable of avoiding collisions. I certainly understand the owner/operator having some form of liability insurance based on usage, but an at-fault collision shouldn't be the responsibility of the owner or operator, nor should it affect their rates. That fault lies entirely with the manufacturer, or maybe eventually the subsystem supplier. Thinking about it, I'd not be terribly surprised if it plays out with manufacturers successfully lobbying to avoid any liability, and insurance gets pooled among owners of specific Level 4 autonomy subsystems. Maybe the best we can hope for would be an equitable split of liability between the manufacturer (who controls the behavior) and owner (who controls the level of usage).
- jacquesm 8y agoWhat about the client of a self driving cab. Are they operating the cab when they tell it to go home? What about a rental vehicle? What about a vehicle you borrowed from someone? I really don't see why the manufacturers would not be the ones to be liable, and totally agree that none of the people in the vehicles should be liable, even better: they should be able to sue the manufacturer too since they were made part of the accident.
- mr_toad 8y agoDepends if you knew, or should have reasonably known that the vehicle was faulty. Probably a moot point considering that the operator, owner and manufacturer will be the same company.
- ddingus 8y agoThey do not have to own the car. This is one of my top reasons why I will not willingly own a self driving vehicle.
- landryraccoon 8y agoThe hand wringing over this is unwarranted. In practice if the owner is liable insurance will be required, and accidents will result in massive PR consequences for the manufacturer. Manufacturers can make unsafe cars right now. Regulators and consumers seem pretty good about stopping most of that from happening.