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Driverless Cars: Who Pays for Traffic Violations?
28 Nov
Summary
- Autonomous vehicles face scrutiny after recent traffic mishaps.
- States grapple with citing driverless cars for traffic violations.
- Lack of clear penalties leaves accountability in question.

Recent incidents involving autonomous vehicles have sparked intense debate and confusion among law enforcement and state officials regarding accountability for traffic violations.
While driverless cars operate in states like California, Arizona, and Texas, a patchwork of regulations exists. Some states permit police to cite these vehicles, yet the effectiveness and clarity of penalties are often questioned, with critics arguing they are too lenient for large corporations.
Experts point to the lack of clear consequences, such as the case in California where a new law allows notices but no defined penalties. This regulatory ambiguity leaves a significant gap in ensuring the safety and compliance of autonomous vehicles on public roads.




