Potential Problem with Self-Driving Cars

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So let's say that you're a passenger in one of these things and you are proceeding towards your destination down a quiet road somewhere, when suddenly, somebody steps out in front of the vehicle and they just stay there, standing in the middle of the road, causing the vehicle to grind to a halt. Then the next thing to happen is a second person steps out and stands right behind the vehicle - you are trapped!

The car won't go anywhere and you are stuck. Now, these people standing in the road maybe just amusing themselves, playing a silly prank, or they could be about to commit a crime, maybe robbing you, or maybe something much worse!

I've been mulling this over for a couple of months and I can see this kind of scenario playing out regularly in the near future, when these vehicles become ubiquitous.

I would refuse to use them... The only way I would consider it is in the form of a Tesla or Mercedes, because you can override the system and take over. Then I could drive around and if not, then I will need need to be defensive.

Yeah, overridability would make all the difference to my point. Unless the vehicle still refused to run somebody or something over even when you take the wheel. Hmm.

I decided to check that "overridability" was a proper word before I pressed submit.

It was only a few months ago that it was discovered accidentally that driverless motor vehicles had no side-panel sensors. So, such vehicles would be vulnerable to vehicles in neighboring lanes which could suddenly side-swipe the driverless vehicles.

And, we are supposed to believe that such vehicles are safe?

I'm sure you can force the autonomous automobile to run someone over; on taxis or ride shares that maybe different... But looking at the S-Class and Volvo. The camera is in the front; by the rear view mirror, with part the system in the grill. I never noticed camera in the rear, so you could probably back into them if needed... If not a fast J-Turn and hit them with the side of the car will work.

Will self-driving cars have horns?

i guess it can always just..proceed very, very slowly, pushing the bastard in front away without hurting him?
but he could fall and get sucked under.

It was only a few months ago that it was discovered accidentally that driverless motor vehicles had no side-panel sensors. So, such vehicles would be vulnerable to vehicles in neighboring lanes which could suddenly side-swipe the driverless vehicles.

And, we are supposed to believe that such vehicles are safe?

I think I'll stick with my old Ford Ka for as long as possible.

At least I'm in total command of IT ( most of the time ).

And if I want to run a bad dude over, I bloody well will do!

The electrically powered versions of these things will be accompanied by a sound effect in the UK.

Eventually.

Just to hopefully avoid people accidentally stepping out into the road in front of a quiet vehicle.

I think driverless cars would be the greatest thing ever. No longer would I have to rely on other people to drive me anywhere that's too far to walk or will take to much time to walk to, and no longer will I have to worry about their driving skills or lack of them. They can't be anywhere near as dangerous as regular cars, especially ones that are driven by idiots who can't even read the instructions on a stop sign, are DUI, or distracted while driving. My fear is that that driverless cars won't become ever available because of... certain people... whose vehicles really run on hormones and not gasoline, and they feel completely worthless and powerless unless they are controlling something. Or someone.

So yeah, I'm not really worried about the problems driverless cars might have. "They" don't want people who can't drive for whatever reasons to be happy and independent and have a life anyway, because we are born losers.

i don't want traffic to be clogged up even more by people who can't drive themselves.

can you imagine a vehicle on the road for literally everyone with access to one, regardless of driving ability? and with the bloatedness of modern car design? please tell me i'm overreacting.

There's Uber and Lyft, that works well for people who cant drive. Bus, train and regular taxis. These are all things available in my city (Orlando), that is known to have one of the worse public or low cost transportation options. These would still be cheaper and safer then a true autonomous car. Most of the autonomous cars don't react well to the unpredictable (say a kid runs out between cars), unlike humans who can possibly avoid or at the minimum choose to hit something less lethal. Cheaper as in, each person who can't drive wouldn't have to go out and spend $80,000 on a car they can't operate in an emergency.

EDIT: From an economics standpoint... It's better to employ someone who may not be employable in other industries. Someone driving a car and making money is a good thing. They pay taxes and they buy things, again creating more jobs.