Speeding - Automonous Cars

MG_overmyheadLOL

Hi, I have been sent an NIP from Kent police for speeding on the M25.
I have been recorded doing 68mph while the smart motorway was set to 50mph. I have reviewed the camera images and they show no reason for the reduction in speed. I know ignorance is not an excuse but I was unaware that the gantrys were not just advisory - I thought motorways barring works was always 70mph. All that said I was driving a hire car.


My question is can anyone advise on this:


I kid you not I was driving the latest Volvo estate which has driver assist which I was using, it was set to 70mph adaptive cruise control and lane control, the summons asks who was driving and not who was responsible - I'm tempted to try mitigating circumstances but deep down I know the law will not allow this to be a precedence..?


Does anyone know if the law has to be black and white with the who was driving rule>

Gloomendoom

Doesn't adaptive cruise control just keep you to whatever you set it at or a set distance from the car in front?

It doesn't read speed limits from overhead gantries. That's your responsibility.

MG_overmyheadLOL

Yes that's true - you set it to 70mph (as in my case) and it just drives --- if a car pulls in front doing 65 the Volvo adjusts - it steers, lane keeps and cruises - I just don't have the gumption to use this as a defence. BUT I am tempted - even just for the head lines I'm sure this would attract - Cant confirm or deny if I was the tabloid informer ;-)

MG_overmyheadLOL

I agree its my responsibility - however can it not be argued that the summons demands who was driving and not who was responsible - rules are rules - it was the car computer steering and controlling the gas and brakes.

bris

You were driving, you can't seriously be naive enough to think you have a case that the car was driving.

MG_overmyheadLOL

Just exploring all avenues - not naïve at all - for all intents and purposes the car was driving - it had full control.... I was not steering or controlling the speed on the M25 - therefore the car was driving.


Surely this is a subject that needs objective discussion now?


2 years time Tesla are distributing autonomous electric semis...

TadleyBaggie

MG_overmyheadLOL wrote: »

I just don't have the gumption to use this as a defence. BUT I am tempted

Please do and let us know where your case is being heard, should be fun.

Bottom line, regardless of the tech in the car you are responsible for driving it.

unholyangel

MG_overmyheadLOL wrote: »

Just exploring all avenues - not naïve at all - for all intents and purposes the car was driving - it had full control.... I was not steering or controlling the speed on the M25 - therefore the car was driving.


Surely this is a subject that needs objective discussion now?


2 years time Tesla are distributing autonomous electric semis...

No it didn't. You could override it. It cannot override your instructions (such as maximum speed). Sorry but you were in control.

Richard53

You set the CC to 70 when the limit was 50. Regardless of what the car did or didn't do, that was your decision.


Believing that the gantry limits were only advisory was a mistake, as I am sure you are now aware.


You have no case whatsoever.

[Deleted User]

Saturday nights

Almost as good as half term.


Yes Your Honour I was in the car but it was driving itself, I requested it to stick to the speed limits but it just wanted race the Herbie in front.

esmerobbo

MG_overmyheadLOL wrote: »

I was not steering or controlling the speed on the M25 -

Substitute speeding for not being in proper control. :cool: