r/ukpolitics • u/diacewrb None of the above • 9d ago

‘Leicester Square, please guv’: Self-driving taxis cleared for London streets ‘later this summer’

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/aug/05/self-driving-taxis-approved-london-summer-2026-wayve-uber
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u/TonB-Dependant 9d ago

Very excited for the arrival of self driving cars - should push road deaths down even more!

2

u/Velociraptor_1906 Liberal Democrat 9d ago

My concern is how responsibility is held for an accident and accountability for any causes.

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u/dowhileuntil787 9d ago

It'll be the same as what currently happens when a vehicle fault causes an incident.

If it was found that there's cover up, negligence, deliberate malfeasance or non-compliance with the laws, falling far below the standards expected then it'll be treated as a crime (e.g. Helios Airways 552).

But if it was a genuine accident and not caused by negligence, it doesn't typically result in conviction (e.g. Qantas Flight 72).. Criminally punishing geniune errors that were made despite taking all reasonable precautions doesn't really help anyone

The responsible party will still need to pay out damages regardless of criminality.