Driverless cars must exceed human safety

Driverless cars are poised to transform the UK’s roads, but their deployment must come with a caveat: they must be demonstrably safer than the most skilled human motorists. This point was emphasised by personal injury lawyers from the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) at a recent discussion prompted by the Department for Transport and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicle. They argue that if the introduction of self-driving technology is to significantly reduce the number of injuries and fatalities on Britain’s roads, strict safety standards must be implemented.

Toby Konarzewski, an executive committee member of APIL, highlighted the importance of this issue, stating “Driverless cars must be safer than the most competent human driver. Even the very best, very safest, and most diligent motorist can make a mistake, the consequences of which can be fatal. The biggest benefit of driverless car technology must surely be the removal of human error.” This sentiment reflects a growing recognition of the potential for technology to enhance road safety.

However, along with this optimism comes a series of challenges. As self-driving taxis make their debut in London and more cars start to integrate autonomous features, experts are calling for rigorous assessments of how these vehicles handle critical situations. Konarzewski noted “Studies show that driver error is the primary cause of crashes in the UK. Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured on our roads each year. Driverless cars are an opportunity to make radical improvements in road safety.” Nevertheless, he cautioned that the technology must prove itself capable of effectively managing complex scenarios.

For instance, how a driverless vehicle reacts during evasive manoeuvres or emergency braking is crucial. Unexpected incidents can occur at any moment; a child darting into the road, for instance, poses a very real danger. Konarzewski argues that “They must also actively seek to protect the most vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists who are at the highest risk of serious injury if involved in a collision.” Because while automated systems may excel in many areas, they must effectively guard against unforeseen events that can emerge at any time.

He further argued that there are innate advantages to human drivers, who can “react quickly to avoid a collision as we are free thinking and have the benefit of considered foresight.” For driverless technology to earn public trust, it must surpass these instinctual responses to danger, ensuring that safety remains the prime concern.

As this technology evolves, perpetual scrutiny will be essential, including “Meticulous annual evaluations of driverless vehicle safety will need to be carried out, and any crashes or near misses must be thoroughly investigated and learned from.” The potential for the UK to lead in the realm of autonomous vehicles hinges on setting appropriate safety standards that address current fears and expectations. Getting these principles right holds the promise of positioning the UK at the forefront of this transformative technological shift, offering a safer future for all road users.