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What happens if you get into a traffic accident while in autopilot, in terms of insurance and blame in general? Suppose the AI scratches another car. Normally,

by dmos62 5y ago

What happens if you get into a traffic accident while in autopilot, in terms of insurance and blame in general? Suppose the AI scratches another car. Normally, as in driving manually, your insurance would bump your costs up, because they're readjusting how likely you're to make another accident, but this is the car driving.

LeoPanthera 5y ago
Right now I think the answer is simple but boring - you're responsible for what the car does, even on autopilot. The car does go out of it's way to ensure you're paying attention, it requires you to hold the wheel and, in new models, watches you to make sure you're actually paying attention. I know Elon is the antichrist on HN so it's tempting to blame him for everything, but personal responsibility still exists. It's your car, you should know how to operate it safely.
- danuker 5y ago
  For as long as it's my responsibility not to kill people while driving, I will refuse cars that drive for me, that don't let me see and change the software on them.
  - greypowerOz 5y ago
    i respect your view. But IMHO for low speed home-to-office commutes there is a market for 100% autonomous cars that can free a person up for productivity tasks or other activity rather than have to drive the same route over and over. OR say the trip to the supermarket past school zones. Maybe not in my driving lifetime (I'm an old fart) , sure :)
    - rchaud 5y ago
      What's 'low speed'? I don't think I've met anyone whose commute didn't involve driving on the freeway. You could take inside streets, but that's a longer drive.
  - TigeriusKirk 5y ago
    What car are you driving now?
  - gorbachev 5y ago
    Slightly tangential...people who kill others with their cars in the United States, at least in New York City, really don't get into that much trouble unless they're under the influence of alcohol or drugs, were speeding recklessly (not just 10mph) or do it intentionally. You may pay a fine, repair costs for your car and your insurance rate might go up slightly, but jail time...nah.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]

by dmos62 5y ago

LeoPanthera 5y ago

Right now I think the answer is simple but boring - you're responsible for what the car does, even on autopilot. The car does go out of it's way to ensure you're paying attention, it requires you to hold the wheel and, in new models, watches you to make sure you're actually paying attention. I know Elon is the antichrist on HN so it's tempting to blame him for everything, but personal responsibility still exists. It's your car, you should know how to operate it safely.

danuker 5y ago
For as long as it's my responsibility not to kill people while driving, I will refuse cars that drive for me, that don't let me see and change the software on them.
- greypowerOz 5y ago
  i respect your view. But IMHO for low speed home-to-office commutes there is a market for 100% autonomous cars that can free a person up for productivity tasks or other activity rather than have to drive the same route over and over. OR say the trip to the supermarket past school zones. Maybe not in my driving lifetime (I'm an old fart) , sure :)
  - rchaud 5y ago
    What's 'low speed'? I don't think I've met anyone whose commute didn't involve driving on the freeway. You could take inside streets, but that's a longer drive.
- TigeriusKirk 5y ago
  What car are you driving now?
- gorbachev 5y ago
  Slightly tangential...people who kill others with their cars in the United States, at least in New York City, really don't get into that much trouble unless they're under the influence of alcohol or drugs, were speeding recklessly (not just 10mph) or do it intentionally. You may pay a fine, repair costs for your car and your insurance rate might go up slightly, but jail time...nah.
deleted 5y ago
[deleted]