{"id":2255,"date":"2020-03-05T07:15:30","date_gmt":"2020-03-05T07:15:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hr-management-dimensions.co.uk\/HRMDmn\/?p=2255"},"modified":"2020-03-06T00:56:52","modified_gmt":"2020-03-06T00:56:52","slug":"driverless-cars-safety-failures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hr-management-dimensions.co.uk\/HRMDmn\/driverless-cars-safety-failures\/","title":{"rendered":"Driverless Cars – Safety Failures"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In a recent report the US National Transportation Safety Board outlined its conclusions regarding another fatal crash involving a ‘driverless car’. The vehicle had its cruise control set to 75 mph but was travelling slower at first as another vehicle was in front. At some point, the driverless car veered to the left and when it no longer detected another vehicle in front, it accelerated to 71 mph but, regrettably, hit a barrier and caught fire. A ‘safety driver’ was in the Tesla car but it is thought that he was playing a game on his mobile phone and so did not react in time to prevent the crash. The driver died subsequently from his injuries. This may have been a combination of the shortcomings of technology, over reliance by a driver on driving aids and perhaps the boredom to which such technology leads with the result that a driver seeks a distraction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Driverless but dogless cars take to the road<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In earlier articles, I referred to the incredible sequence of failures that led to the death of a pedestrian [2] and the fact that newer cars, not just Tesla, have on going issues with the technology underpinning driving aids [3]. Some of those aids are helpful but others display the type of faults or shortcomings that lead to accidents and\/or complacency by the ‘driver’. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More instances of crashes are appearing, involving so called driverless cars. Those include crashes into stationary or parked cars and fire engines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Semi Autonomous Driving Aids are not Designed for Complex Situations<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Driving aid technology has not reached the stage at which it can handle all types of road designs and situations. For example, the current technology used for semi autonomous driving aids is not designed for use in complex road junctions. It is perhaps an error for us to talk about ‘driverless cars’ as we are not apparently at that stage of advanced technology. This was summed up by Robert L. Sumwalt, Chairman of the Board, at a meeting of the National Transportation Safety Board when he spoke about the accident above; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This tragic crash clearly demonstrates the limitations of advanced driver assistance systems available to consumers today. There is not a vehicle currently available to US consumers that is self-driving. Period. Every vehicle sold to US consumers requires to driver to be actively engaged in the driver driving task, even when partial driving automation systems are on \u2026 It ‘s time to stop enabling drivers in any partially automated vehicle to pretend that they have driverless cars. Because they don’t have driverless cars.<\/p> Robert L. Sumwalt, addressing a board meeting of the National Transportation Safety Board 25\/02\/2020<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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The investigation revealed several factors in this sad case including the slow repair to the barrier and possible other personal contributory factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are Tests Taking Place on UK Roads in Vehicles with Similar Faults?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Although the accidents noted in this and earlier articles occurred in the USA, are such cars or other vehicles being tested or planned to be tested in the UK, even though such vehicle are unlikely to do not have effective safety systems and backups for emergencies? Should the following be acted upon:<\/p>\n\n\n\n