Self-Driving Cars Will Create Problems

Earlier, I blogged about some of the issues we'll see as emergency managers as self-driving cars begin to be fielded. But, on reflecting on this, the scope and changes this disruptive technology will bring about will dwarf the current policy debates about how and when drones will be used. We are a car culture, however, what that means is about to change rapidly.

Here are just a few thoughts:

• Rental cars — for simple one- or two-day rentals, why go to Hertz or Avis, when you can just use a car-on-demand service? Will they also get into the car "as a service" business? They'd better or they will go the way of the horse and buggy.
• When you have an autonomous car, how does it work when you cross state lines and the regulations are different? 
• For police investigating an accident where an autonomous car was part of the crash, what data might they be able to get from the car to understand what happened?
• Can you be blind and "drive" in an autonomous car?
• Can you be drunk and in charge of an autonomous car — because you are not driving?
• When you reach the Canadian border with an autonomous car, will you be allowed entrance to the country and likewise, the United States?
• You can take the "suicide" aspect out of car bombs.
• How does a "drive by shooting" change?
• In a car chase, might the police be able to "shut down" the autonomous car to make it stop?
• Will you need a driver's license for an autonomous car?
• What age will you have to be in order to be the sole rider in an autonomous car?

If you want a definition of disruptive technology, you can start with self-driving cars!!