Does Missouri Have Self-Driving Car Laws?
Autonomous vehicles are the future. From cars with advanced driver-assist features to driverless taxis, you will see exponentially more of these automobiles in the near future. People skeptical of the technology might have concerns about the legal ramifications of getting into a collision or crash with one of these cars. The Missouri car accident lawyers at Patterson Legal Group are here to put your mind at ease by explaining Missouri self-driving car laws and how the state is prepared to handle the future.
What’s the Difference Between Self-Driving Cars and Driverless Cars?
As with any new technology, the lingo and jargon of these new cars can be confusing. This is why some people do not understand the difference between driverless cars and self-driving cars. Here’s a brief rundown on what they are, how they’re the same, and how they’re different.
Self-Driving Vehicles
A self-driving car, also known as an autonomous vehicle, is a car that can drive itself without human intervention. It uses a combination of sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence to perceive its surroundings, make decisions, and control its movement. This technology has the potential to make driving safer, more efficient, and more accessible for everyone.
Many current automobiles are capable of self-driving, including Tesla vehicles with Autopilot or Full Self-Driving, General Motor’s cars with Super Cruise, Ford automobiles with BlueCruise, and many more. These automobiles are classified as being capable of “level 2” autonomous driving, as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Although these cars can technically operate themselves, drivers are still required to keep their hands on the steering wheel and monitor road conditions. More importantly, drivers are still liable in the event of an accident.
In the near future, “level 4” and higher autonomous cars will allow people to ride in their vehicles without having to monitor the road, keep their hands on the wheel, or intervene when atypical conditions arise.
Driverless Taxis
These driverless automobiles are a specific subcategory of self-driving vehicles. Sometimes referred to as a robotaxi, driverless taxis are autonomous vehicles that can transport passengers without a human driver. It uses advanced sensor arrays, cameras, mapping data, and artificial intelligence to navigate roads, detect obstacles, and make driving decisions. This technology aims to improve transportation efficiency, reduce accidents, and provide convenient, on-demand mobility services.
There are a few companies that operate driverless taxis in the United States. The most prominent is Waymo, which offers driverless service in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco. The next-largest robotaxi provider is Zoox, which has a smaller fleet of vehicles operating in Foster City, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Seattle. Both companies are testing in other cities and plan to expand aggressively in the near future.
What Missouri Self-Driving Car Laws Are in Place?
While some people may be overwhelmed by this new technology, they can take comfort that lawmakers have been planning for these vehicles for years. Current Missouri self-driving car laws include HB2271 and SB811. Here is a brief description of each.
HB2271 outlines the definition of self-driving cars, referred to as “automated motor vehicles” by the state, and creates a committee to study the impact of these vehicles. Additionally, it includes guidelines for the insurance of automated vehicles. Lastly, it absolves vehicle and component manufacturers of liability in the event of a Missouri car wreck, making it difficult to take legal actions against these companies. This makes accidents involving autonomous vehicles just like any other car crash, where the at-fault driver is liable for damages.
SB811 allows self-driving cars to operate on Missouri public roads. The law specifies that self-driving cars must be able to perform all the tasks of a human driver and requires proof of financial responsibility before they can be used. The law also allows self-driving cars to be used for commercial purposes, including robotaxis and ride-sharing services. Lastly, the law prohibits local governments from imposing specific taxes or requirements on self-driving cars.
Contact a Top Missouri Car Crash Attorney
The Missouri injury lawyers at Patterson Legal Group hope that you have a better understanding of current Missouri self-driving car laws. Hopefully, you feel confident that the state government is well aware of the technology and planning for a safe future. That said, technology can fail and crashes can result. Should you get into an accident involving a self-driving vehicle, then contact us for immediate assistance.
You can reach the Missouri injury attorneys at Patterson Legal Group 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our firm has helped thousands of injury victims in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Colorado get the injury settlement they’re entitled to. You can reach us by phone at (816) 920-0000 and online through secure contact form or by connecting with our LiveChat representatives. Contact us today to get the legal representation, settlement, and treatment that you deserve.
