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ARTICLE · 11 SEPTEMBER 2018

Self-Driving Vehicles: When Can I Buy Mine?

Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP
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The accident happened at night on an empty road.

CanadaTransport
Michael J. Henry
Michael J. Henry
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In March 2018 a pedestrian was struck and killed in Tempe, Arizona when a self-driving Uber vehicle failed to apply the brakes to avoid a bicyclist. The accident happened at night on an empty road. How could this have happened? Surely auto makers tested their vehicles thoroughly before putting them out on the roadways?

Various companies have been doing trials of self-driving vehicles all over the world. The technology is nowhere near perfected yet and is not ready for real world experiences. Self-driving vehicles have difficulties when there is inconsistent signage, high speeds, inclement weather, construction or recent roadway changes. There is no end to real world obstacles and experiences that are problematic for self-driving vehicles.

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