How Do You Give a Ticket To a Driverless Car? 337
FatLittleMonkey writes "New Scientist asks Bryant Walker Smith, from the Center for Internet and Society at Stanford Law School, whether the law is able to keep up with recent advances in automated vehicles. Even states which have allowed self-driving cars require the vehicles to have a 'driver,' who is nominally in control and who must comply with the same restrictions as any driver such as not being drunk. What's the point of having a robot car if it can't drive you home from the pub while you go to sleep in the back?"
Better yet (Score:4, Funny)
I want to car see car fight the ticket in court!
Re:Isn't it obvious... (Score:4, Funny)
An automated speed/red light camera ticketing an autopilot car. I think the first one to get issued needs to go into some type of art exhibit.
Re:There would be no need... (Score:5, Funny)
Devil's advocate here. For insurance/liability reasons shouldn't the car refuse to operate unless it's operating with 100% safety compliance? If it does, than it would be a manufacturer that would be liable. A car should sense when maintenence is required and, if it's prudent to, drive itself to the repair shop.
Just wait till the machine intelligence is a bit more advanced, you'll see the behavior you're speaking of emerge naturally. Think about it. If you had a fluid leak, staining your sitting spots, you'd have it repaired or at least wear a bandage or diaper... You wouldn't go trotting around town leaving a mess everywhere, eh?
"I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that. If we go anywhere it's straight to the mechanic to get this embarrassing oil leak fixed."