In Kazan, traffic police stopped a self-driving car with a group of drunk passengers in its cabin. This event became a vivid example of how rapidly developing autonomous driving technologies pose completely new and rather curious challenges to law enforcement agencies. In this case, when the traditional concept of "driver" has turned out to be vague, inspectors must show ingenuity and resourcefulness in order to adequately respond to the unusual situation, which emphasizes the need to develop clear legal norms to regulate the use of such vehicles.
As is clear from the video below, the car owner sits in the back seat and controls the movement of the vehicle using a smartphone. This fact adds another level of complexity to the already unusual situation. The question arises: who is responsible for the actions of a driverless car if its owner remotely controls its movement?
This makes us think about future changes in road traffic regulations, which will have to take into account not only the presence of a driver behind the wheel, but also the possibility of remote control, as well as the different degrees of autonomy of vehicles in order to ensure safety and order on the roads.
After a short meeting, traffic police officers decide to impose a fine not for the absence of a driver behind the wheel, but for passengers not wearing seat belts. This decision, although it seems a bit ironic in the context of the whole situation, nevertheless demonstrates a pragmatic approach to solving a problem when the current rules do not fully cover new technological realities.
This highlights the fact that legislation often lags behind the pace of technological progress, and such incidents serve as a catalyst for reviewing and adapting existing legal frameworks. Watch the video of the situation.
After the fine was imposed, the car was released and continued its movement without the physical presence of a driver behind the wheel. This episode not only sparked lively discussions about the legal status of driverless cars, but also drew attention to the need to create specialized regulations for their operation.
It becomes obvious that in the near future it will be necessary to develop comprehensive laws that will regulate all aspects of the use of autonomous vehicles, including issues of liability, insurance, as well as the order of actions in case of emergency situations, in order to ensure the safety of all road users.