Autonomous or driverless cars have been the focus of a great deal of attention in recent years and they’ve been the subject of heated debates in countries around the world. But in California, this technology is exempt from traffic tickets, although it meets a few necessary criteria.
According to the California Vehicle Code, a driverless vehicle is not accountable for any traffic violations as long as it meets the three criteria listed: (1) the driver of the vehicle complied with all of the laws applicable to the operation of an autonomous vehicle; (2) the autonomous technology associated with the vehicle was engaged and operating when the vehicle was in motion; and (3) the vehicle was being operated in a manner consistent with its design parameters.
In other words, if an autonomous vehicle follows all of the proper procedures, such as following posted speed limits and signaling for turns, then it cannot be held responsible for violating any traffic laws. This is due to the fact that autonomous cars operate within the programmed algorithms, avoiding any type of violation such as speeding, running red lights, or making illegal turns.
However, the exemption only applies to autonomous cars in California and does not extend to other types of vehicles, such as those driven by humans. This exemption is also dependent on the autonomous vehicles obeying the law, which means that if the autonomous car is found to have committed a traffic violation, the driver may be held accountable.
The current laws allowing autonomous vehicles to be exempt from traffic tickets in California may be seen as a sign of progress in terms of the development of driverless cars. This is because the legislation is allowing autonomous vehicles to operate safely on the roads without fear of being ticketed for violations.
However, it is still important to note that laws can change as new technologies enter the market and that the interpretation of these laws may also evolve over time. For example, some states have already enacted separate laws for the operation of autonomous vehicles, which may supersede the current laws in California.
Overall, autonomous cars are able to avoid being responsible for traffic tickets in California under the current laws. As the technology continues to evolve, it remains to be seen if new regulations are necessary to protect those using the technology from potential civil liability.