With technology continuing to evolve in so many different ways, product developers have been able to create shortcuts to help make our lives easier and more automated. We are now able to order thousands of products, request a car ride, or even control the temperature settings inside our homes when we are away directly from our smartphones.
For years, we’ve seen futuristic movies featuring robots and cars that can fly, but we have yet to see these types of technological advances fully-integrated into our modern world. The closest we have seen in the works more recently is that of Automated Driving Systems (ADS) vehicles that are able to drive themselves with less human correction.
Automated Vehicle Safety
One of the main issues that have been brought to light with self-driving, automated vehicles is safety. Can we honestly say that this type of transportation is fully safe? There are some features that have developed in the testing of automated vehicles that are currently in use today: lane correction and parking assistance, as well as back up cameras that make it easier to spot other vehicles in our blind spots.
So, why are we still not quite to the point of creating fully-automated passenger vehicles? The reason is that there is still room for error, even if the vehicle isn’t being driven by a human. In the state of California, there have been accidents and deaths reported, at least in part due to partially-automated vehicles that appear to be unable to distinguish certain objects or potential driving hazards that a human could easily spot on their own and most likely avoid due to the human body’s own reflexes.
CA Laws on ADS Vehicles
Currently, the state of California does recognize the possible safety risks associated with autonomous vehicles and requires accidents involving said vehicles to report accident data if they are even in part thought to be caused by a driverless vehicle.
The Future of Automated Vehicles
There are currently different levels for vehicle automation, ranging from 1-5. Those that are currently being driven are only partially automated. Most of the ADS vehicles’ current capabilities only allow for corrective action from the vehicle when its driver appears to be unable to take corrective measures to keep the car safely on the road. Tesla and Uber are two examples of companies doing further research and testing to lead the charge in the advancement of fully-automated transportation. Hopefully, they will also be able to use this as an opportunity to create safer motor transportation for us all.
Reach out to a Personal Injury Attorney in CA
If you or a loved one have been involved in any type of vehicle accident and need representation, know that we at the Law Offices of Dean Petrulakis are here to help. Give us a call today to schedule a free initial consultation, and let us help you explore your legal options when it comes to personal injury law in CA.
