A federal report has warned that cybersecurity breaches and software bugs will feature as the new causes of crashes in driverless cars, highlighting the need to review third party insurance schemes for determining fault,
Herald Sun reported.
The National Transport Commission (NTC) has released a policy paper on the red tape barriers confronting driverless vehicles amid predictions that these cars would dominate the roads over the next decade.
Already, Uber, Tesla, and Google have been testing automated vehicles, while on-road trials began in South Australia this year. NSW is drafting similar laws, while Victoria has also been urged by RACV to do the same, the report said.
Meanwhile, Melbourne-based Australian Road Research Board actively promotes the technology’s advancement through the Australian Driverless Vehicle Initiative.
David Anderson, NTC chairman, said driverless cars could potentially improve safety, mobility, productivity, and environmental efficiency.
“Our aim is to ensure that the regulatory framework for automated vehicles is timely and responsible, and that regulations promote, not discourage, innovation and competition,” Anderson said.
The NTC paper identified liability as a key issue as driverless vehicles are likely to face new crash causes, such as cyber security breaches, software bugs and failing sensors,
Herald Sun reported.
“Some automated vehicles will require humans to take over the driving task at different times and some automated vehicles will require a human driver to monitor the automated driving system,” it said.
NTC urged all Australian governments to assess compulsory third-party insurance schemes to ensure that the drivers of driverless vehicles as well as those involved in crashes with them were covered by insurance,
Herald Sun reported.
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