MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. Despite the recent tragic death of a man using Tesla’s autopilot feature, driverless cars and autopilot technology remains relatively safe. According to Vanity Fair, for every 100 million miles driven in the U.S., one person dies. Tesla’s autopilot feature, while facing understandable scrutiny after the recent accident, was actually the first fatality recorded out of 130 million miles of vehicles traveling on autopilot, according to Tesla. The reality is that the vast majority of accidents occur because of human error. Minneapolis law offers important protections to individuals who have been personally injured in crashes because of this very fact. In fact, if you’ve been injured in a crash due to another driver’s negligence or neglect, you are probably wise to speak to a personal injury lawyer. The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino is an auto accident attorney in Minneapolis, Minnesota who may be able to assist you.
Drivers are subject to strict regulations and licensing requirements. After all, the consequences of human error behind the wheel lead to deaths, injuries, and property damage. While driverless vehicles are programmed for safety, the New York Times recently asked whether these vehicles should also be subject to the same licensing requirements that drivers are subject to undergo before they can get behind the wheel. According to the New York Times, driverless cars aren’t subject to any special testing before they are permitted on the road. The driverless features are tested by manufacturers, without government oversight. The Department of Transportation only intervenes if problems arise with the technology.
If the technology will be used, one wonders whether we need a more robust system of oversight in place? As it stands, driverless vehicles are not very good at detecting some important hazards. For instance, they have trouble recognizing flooded roads, downed power lines, potholes, debris, and fire or smoke. Some argue that each and every vehicle should be tested before it is permitted on the road—in the same way each and every driver is subject to a driving test before he or she gets a license. In fact, some even argue that these vehicles should get “graduated licenses.”
Driverless cars were only recently considered legal drivers. The federal government recently opened the road to driverless cars, but there are still many questions about regulation that need to be considered. Government officials are looking into ways to streamline the process.
Until driverless cars become the norm, drivers on the road are wise to remember that human error remains the leading cause of car accidents. Car accidents lead to death, injury, and losses every year. Many accidents could have been easily prevented with care and precaution. Distracted driving, drowsy driving, and drunk driving are among some of the causes of deaths and injuries on Minnesota roads. If you or a loved one has been involved in a crash, you may wish to speak to an auto accident lawyer to understand your rights. Visit https://martinmontilino.com/ to learn more.