QOTD: Is It Time for Federal Intervention on AV Testing?
Earlier today I wrote about how Tesla seems to be pushing for fewer safety guards on its so-called "Full-Self Driving" system even as it opens the program up to more "beta testers" and even as accidents involving the system and Tesla's Autopilot pile up. What I didn't mention, probably because I suspect it's common knowledge among our readership, is that there aren't federal rules governing these sorts of beta tests on public roads.
The author of The Intercept post I linked tweeted today he was surprised about this.
It does seem surprising that the feds have set no rules or regulations here. Given that accidents continue to happen and that there is real danger involved here, is it time for the government to step in?
Sound off below.
[Image: Tesla]
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This absolutely needs regulation - it's a clear public safety issue.
I see it differently. Class action lawsuits against defective products work well to (1) make citizens whole for damages done and (2) discourage faulty product design. Independent test bodies, such as used in medical device product development ('CE Mark') give some level of comfort to consumers, too. Related entities such as Consumer Reports play an important role in warning consumers of defective products. Government 'oversight' gave us Thalidomide and other abominations, and I clearly see lots of 'regulatory capture' by industry of their government 'regulators,' i.e., enablers.
State's Rights
I'm curious, but has anyone thought of reviewing the actual data on Tesla's autopilot technology? I know we all have opinions, but what if there were an actual study showing the value of this technology?
https://www.tesla.com/VehicleSafetyReport