The rollout of driverless vehicles on to Australian roads is expected to be an industry game-changer – reducing the number of crash-related claims, redefining the need for and cost of insurance, and potentially transforming existing insurance business models.
But with automated vehicle technologies taking the wheel from human drivers, one question that insurers, manufacturers, suppliers, motorists, and policymakers need to answer is on who takes the blame when things go wrong?
Kane Blackman, from the Insurance Commission of Western Australia, will explore the changing liability and personal injury insurance landscape at the 2nd International Driverless Vehicle Summit which will be held in Adelaide, from November 16-17,
iTWire reported.
“Currently, human drivers cause most motor vehicle crashes, but when an automated vehicle — which makes decisions based on its programming, sensor feeds and inputs from the surrounding network — crashes, there might not be a driver at fault,” Blackman said. “Manufacturers and suppliers are legally obliged to provide products to consumers that are safe, free from defects, and fit for purpose. There will be an expectation that automated vehicle manufacturers and suppliers accept liability should their products fail and cause injury.”
Blackman said owners of automated vehicles are also expected to shoulder some of the responsibilities, such as ensuring the safe maintenance of their vehicle as per manufacturer specifications, and that could include software updates and regular replacement of car equipment, the report said.
“Discussions are under way in states and territories about what the personal injury insurance regimes should be for people injured in crashes of autonomous vehicles,” Blackman told
iTWire. “The decisions made following those discussions will shape the future of motor injury insurance schemes. This will be particularly important during the transition phase when we will see a mix of driverless and human-controlled vehicles sharing the road, and during the evolution from partially to fully automated vehicles. Adding to the complexity is the potential for connectivity and technological failures, as well as the very real threat of cyber risk.”
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