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So much is discussed about self-driving car safety because the implications are really big but also uncomfortable. However, I always get stuck on how little enf

So much is discussed about self-driving car safety because the implications are really big but also uncomfortable. However, I always get stuck on how little enforcement there is for human drivers who habitually break driving laws and cause dangerous situations. DUIs are one thing sure but honestly most drivers who are bad and dangerous are sober and face no consequences for reckless behavior. Is there something specific that caused this halt on Cruise's testing permits?

stfp 3y ago
Not sure about the specifics here but to jump on your point about human drivers not being safe... 10000% we need safer designs for streets and roads, better education, automated enforcement of speed limits, dis-incentives for larger/heavier/more dangerous vehicles, ... All of these things need to be done, and can be done with existing technology today. We don't need self-driving cars to address our problems; they're essentially a distraction and an excuse to postpone improvements.
freedomben 3y ago
Why the down votes? This seems like a reasonable discussion to be had, unless you're a binary thinker and think that anyone raising a point about humans must be secretly, implicitly arguing that cars should be able to do whatever they want.
vel0city 3y ago
Automatic enforcement of driving laws should absolutely be a thing. People often argue "but they can't prove who was driving the car!" Its simple answer to me. Whoever registered the car is by default responsible for the actions of the car. If that car gets found doing something obviously illegal (speeding, running a red light, some kind of "reckless driving" camera review, etc) the registered owner is automatically assigned blame. They can potentially file paperwork to the court to prove someone else was driving (a lease arrangement, some valet ticket along with some proof from the restaurant or whatever at the time, a sworn statement from another individual confessing to it, etc). But ultimately by default the owner of the car is responsible for the safe handling of the vehicle. If you're worried someone is going to break the law with your car, don't give them your keys. If you don't like this, find another form of transportation. Tag enforcement needs to be stronger. If an automated system sees a tag that doesn't make sense, it should be immediately flagged and enforcement dispatched. Lots of cops already have ALPRs, those should immediately trigger. I see so many cars out there with sketchy paper tags, this whole thing needs to be shut down. Driving a car on public streets shouldn't be nearly as easy as it is in the US. Far too many people don't treat driving with the respect it needs.

stfp 3y ago

Not sure about the specifics here but to jump on your point about human drivers not being safe... 10000% we need safer designs for streets and roads, better education, automated enforcement of speed limits, dis-incentives for larger/heavier/more dangerous vehicles, ... All of these things need to be done, and can be done with existing technology today. We don't need self-driving cars to address our problems; they're essentially a distraction and an excuse to postpone improvements.

freedomben 3y ago

Why the down votes? This seems like a reasonable discussion to be had, unless you're a binary thinker and think that anyone raising a point about humans must be secretly, implicitly arguing that cars should be able to do whatever they want.

vel0city 3y ago

Automatic enforcement of driving laws should absolutely be a thing. People often argue "but they can't prove who was driving the car!" Its simple answer to me. Whoever registered the car is by default responsible for the actions of the car. If that car gets found doing something obviously illegal (speeding, running a red light, some kind of "reckless driving" camera review, etc) the registered owner is automatically assigned blame. They can potentially file paperwork to the court to prove someone else was driving (a lease arrangement, some valet ticket along with some proof from the restaurant or whatever at the time, a sworn statement from another individual confessing to it, etc). But ultimately by default the owner of the car is responsible for the safe handling of the vehicle. If you're worried someone is going to break the law with your car, don't give them your keys. If you don't like this, find another form of transportation. Tag enforcement needs to be stronger. If an automated system sees a tag that doesn't make sense, it should be immediately flagged and enforcement dispatched. Lots of cops already have ALPRs, those should immediately trigger. I see so many cars out there with sketchy paper tags, this whole thing needs to be shut down. Driving a car on public streets shouldn't be nearly as easy as it is in the US. Far too many people don't treat driving with the respect it needs.