The development of Automated Driving Systems (ADS) may be the most consequential transportation issue of our time. New technology and novel service strategies promise faster and better mobility that will be less expensive, and more environmentally friendly. Spring boarding from existing and widely accepted “assisted driving” systems such as cruise control, ADS developers promise a wider array of functions from greater driver assistance to vehicles that will perform every driving operation with no human intervention.
The single most important reason to support the development of highly automated driving systems is the potential for ADS to enhance safety and save lives. While the idea of working, napping, or watching a movie while the car drives itself may be enticing to many, enhanced safety must always be the primary focus of ADS development. ADS that are proven safer than existing drivers will have innumerable benefits to society.
The development and deployment of proven, safe ADS will require significant technological advances, revisions to the regulatory paradigm, and the active participation of far more than just the auto manufacturers and technology companies. The potential of technology to move the needle on crash statistics is extraordinary; however, there will still be crashes, especially in an environment where autonomous vehicles continue to share the road with human drivers. It is important to note that ADS, in and of themselves, do not fundamentally change the legal theories of liability associated with motor vehicle crashes. Insurance will still play a crucial role for manufacturers, suppliers, owners, operators, and passengers.
The critical issues related to passenger safety, liability, and compensation after a crash require that insurance companies are included in the development, deployment, regulation, and use of ADS. Consumers will continue to look to property/casualty insurers to provide them with the protections they have come to expect as this new frontier of automotive products and services evolves.
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