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“California Cruising: Driverless Cars Traffic Ticket Free!

Driverless cars have been hailed as a game-changer in the transportation industry, not just for the convenience they offer, but also for their potential to improve safety on the roads. Recently, the state of California has further solidified the notion of self-driving cars as an inevitability by affording them immunity from traffic tickets. California has been ahead of the curve in regulating driverless cars, having passed the Autonomous Vehicle Tester Program in 2012. The program allowed manufacturers to test their self-driving cars on the state’s public roads. This bill, however, only applied to the enforcement of traffic laws for autonomous vehicles, meaning it only addressed the legal side of the equation. The state of California recently passed Assembly Bill No. 2989, which came into effect on January 1, 2019. The bill clarifies the rules for testing and operating autonomous vehicles in the state. Notably, the bill also declares that driverless cars are not liable for traffic violations, pending further legislation from California’s legislature. The idea of driverless cars being exempt from traffic tickets might seem counterintuitive, especially considering the fact that they are considered legally responsible for vehicular collisions, according to a study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. However, it actually makes a great deal of sense. Since the cars are programmed to comply with the law, there is no reason to fine or penalize them for breaking it. The act of punishing a robot for breaking a law- one that it had no control over making- is counterintuitive and potentially unethical. Thus, it makes perfect sense for the state to recognize the impracticality and unjustness of punishing driverless cars. It would be foolish for the state to ignore the progress that has been made in the development of driverless cars, and the potential they have for positively transforming the transportation industry. As such, granting driverless cars immunity from traffic tickets is the logical next step in the process of regulating these vehicles. granted Immunity from Traffic Tickets by the State of California. With this decision, the state has cleared the way for manufacturers to continue testing their self-driving cars on public roads and has taken a crucial step towards regulating this innovative technology. The decision is a reflection of California’s commitment to fostering positive change and modernizing the transportation industry.