On Sunday, November 22, 2015 at 3:46:49 AM UTC-10, Ophelia wrote:
> ">>> That raises interesting questions (or would do if it happened here).
> >>> Is a driverless car obliged to stop if asked to do so by a police
> >>> officer in uniform;
> >>
> >> Clearly yes.
> >
> >And presumably also to take the exit from a junction or proceed past a
> >red traffic light as directed by the police officer in uniform.
>
> Lots of extra questions arise. Once they are fully autonomous,
> presumably they'll still have some sort of "panic" button.
>
> If the car fails to stop on the policeman's request, will it be an
> offence for the occupant not to press the panic button - and are they
> then formally in charge of the car? What if they don't have a driving
> licence, or are drunk - could they then be nicked for either of those?"
>
>
> --
> http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

In the future, we won't need cops directing traffic. The cars will be in communication with each other and coordinate their movements. On the motorway, the cars will travel quite close to each other in lines, like bikers, to conserve energy. It's going to be a beautiful thing. My guess it's going to make Honolulu's fixed rail system, which we're finally getting around to building, obsolete.

One won't need a driver's licence to ride in a self-driving car. Being drunk won't matter either. Drunk driving won't be possible. Obviously, these cars will bring about an increase in alcoholism.