While driverless cars could be huge, there a lot of very important issues to be addressed before we start seeing them rule the roadways. The Wall Street Journal on Monday outlined one of the most important problems with driverless cars that has yet to be worked out: That is, if a driverless car gets in an accident, who is liable for the damage? Even in states where driverless cars are already on the road, the Journal has found that lawmakers have largely punted on figuring out liability issues. California and Florida, for instance, have only passed bills that instruct their Registries of Motor Vehicles to come up with rules for driverless cars over the next year or two. Making the issue even more complicated is the fact that auto manufacturers have fought hard against any laws that hold them liable for accidents where their driverless cars are at fault.
About Shelly Palmer
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with AI strategy, implementation and governance, as well as technology, media and marketing. Named one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices in Technology, he is a bestselling author, covers tech and business for Fox 5’s Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN, and writes the popular daily business blog Think About This. Follow @shellypalmer or visit shellypalmer.com.