Speeding - Automonous Cars

FreddieFrugal

If the speed limit value is in a red circle then it is MANDATORY

If it's Amber with flashing lights then it is advisory.


Even if your car had speed sign recognition - it would still be your responsibility to ensure that you were driving at the correct speed. These driving assistance technologies arent designed so that you can just fall asleep at the wheel!

I think that if you tried to argue that it wasn't your fault because you were using cruise control - you'd be suggesting to the authorities that you needed your driving licence revoking let alone a fine.

Aretnap

If it was a genuinely autonomous car, where you simply programme the destination, get into the passanger seat and let it drive you to your destination, then you would have a point However such cars are still at an experimental stage and are not currently allowed on British roads (possibly except in a limited number of tightly controlled trials)

A semi autonomous car by contrast still has a driver (you), it's just that some of the aspects of driving are done automatically. Not very different to having cruise control or an automatic gearbox - both of which have been around for decades. The driver remains responsible for the cars operation and overriding the automatic controls of necessary. You failed to do that - so you have no case.

Car_54

If you do not reply naming yourself unequivocally as the driver then you will be charged under section 172 of the RTA.

After the magistrates stop laughing about this autonomous cars nonsense, you will find yourself with a large fine, heavy costs, 6 points and a victim surcharge. You will also face much increase insurance premiums for the next five years.

Alternatively, if you name youself you will be offered a fixed penalty of £100 and three points. Your choice.

Nobbie1967

Ever since electronic aids became common in cars, you could argue you were not driving the car anymore (you'd be wrong) as you are simply giving instructions that the car interprets to control the various systems. I.e. ABS, power steering, cruise control, stability control, traction control etc.

The fact remains that you had control over the speed of the car while you were speeding. A quick dab of the brakes would have sufficed.

Gloomendoom

Aretnap wrote: »

If it was a genuinely autonomous car, where you simply programme the destination, get into the passanger seat and let it drive you to your destination, then you would have a point However such cars are still at an experimental stage and are not currently allowed on British roads (possibly except in a limited number of tightly controlled trials)

My wife took part in a trial a few weeks ago. The car seemed to be programmed to travel at the speed limit wherever possible and, presumably, where it thought appropriate. However, she said that there were several occasions, in towns, where she felt 30 mph was too fast. She wanted a knob to turn the maximum speed down a bit, like the adjust facility on cruise control.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

MG_overmyheadLOL wrote: »

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>

bris wrote: »

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

MG_overmyheadLOL wrote: »

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.

MG_overmyheadLOL wrote: »

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 ;-)

Where are you appealing this? I want to take the day off.

tho_2

Go for it. I'm sure the police will love to add on dangerous driving charges if you're happy to admit you weren't in charge of the vehicle at 70mph. The fact you ask is almost as worrying as not knowing what a speed limit sign is.

arcon5

The key is you set it to 70.
We all mess up I wouldn't bother just pay it

MobileSaver

MG_overmyheadLOL wrote: »

the smart motorway was set to 50mph. ... I was unaware that the gantrys were not just advisory - I thought motorways barring works was always 70mph.

Wow! Whatever else you do, do not mention this to the police or in court... telling anyone you didn't realise a red circle with a speed inside it was mandatory could (and probably should) see you getting the book thrown at you!

MG_overmyheadLOL wrote: »

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

I've had adaptive cruise control on my Lexus for over a decade (and absolutely love it for long boring motorway journeys.) As both you and I (and the prosecutor!) know the car does not set the speed, the driver does, so your "defence" would fail at the very first hurdle.

Indeed Volvo's own description of ACC makes it completely unambiguous:

Volvo wrote:

The driver sets the desired speed and time interval to the car in front.

neilmcl

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...

Yeah, you go ahead and argue with the court that you weren't in control of your vehicle and see where that gets you :rotfl: