When Should Cops Be Allowed To Take Control of Self-Driving Cars?

[DamianTV]

http://tech.slashdot.org/story/15/08...f-driving-cars

A police officer is directing traffic in the intersection when he sees a self-driving car barreling toward him and the occupant looking down at his smartphone. The officer gestures for the car to stop, and the self-driving vehicle rolls to a halt behind the crosswalk. This seems like a pretty plausible interaction. Human drivers are required to pull over when a police officer gestures for them to do so. It's reasonable to expect that self-driving cars would do the same. But Will Oremus writes that while it's clear that police officers should have some power over the movements of self-driving cars, what's less clear is where to draw the line. Should an officer be able to do the same if he suspects the passenger of a crime? And what if the passenger doesn't want the car to stop—can she override the command, or does the police officer have ultimate control?

According to a RAND Corp. report on the future of technology and law enforcement "the dark side to all of the emerging access and interconnectivity (PDF) is the risk to the public's civil rights, privacy rights, and security." It added, "One can readily imagine abuses that might occur if, for example, capabilities to control automated vehicles and the disclosure of detailed personal information about their occupants were not tightly controlled and secured."

Slashdot article, but a very good question.

So what do you think? When should cops be allowed to take control of self driving cars?

[TheTexan]

Can we instead just modify all cars so that they slow down as they get closer to an Officer?

Dozens of Officers die in car crashes each year, so it's obviously of paramount importance that we do everything we can to get that to a more reasonable number.

[acptulsa]

Just as long as no one tries to tell me I have to relinquish control of my vehicle or get it off the road, I don't care what or who the fools who relinquish control of their vehicles relinquish control of them to.

[Warrior_of_Freedom]

how about never? anything used against real criminals is always used against the rest of the population

[TheTexan]

We should of course also require that Officers get a warrant before shutting down someone's vehicle, to ensure due process.

We could give Officers an app on their phone so they can get warrants more quickly.

[RJB]

It'll be when ever he feels his safety is threatened.

[RJB]

We could give Officers an app on their phone so they can get warrants more quickly.

To slow. Put the app on their firearms.

[TheTexan]

As long as Police Vehicles can't be shut down I'm fine with this. I was thinking maybe Ambulances should also not be allowed to be shut down remotely, but that's less important of course than making sure Police Vehicles remain operational.

[phill4paul]

"Sir, your car was swerving. I smell alcohol and your eyes look bloodshot. I'll need you to exit the vehicle for a sobriety test."

"But, officer, my car is a self-driving car."

"Sure it is son, sure it is. Now exit the vehicle."

[pcosmar]

Slashdot article, but a very good question.

So what do you think? When should cops be allowed to take control of self driving cars?

You knew it would be asked.

I am sure some or most of the "rules" have already been written.

[presence]

When should cops be allowed to take control of self driving cars?

Sounds like highway piracy.

[nobody's_hero]

The question is wrong. Better to ask:

'Should people buy self-driving cars that cops can control?' And of course they will, because they want the cool gizmos, regardless of how owning one makes it easier to spy on or control you.

In any case,

I predict that eventually the police lobby will come out against this self-driving technology, as it will severely cut down on fine collecting (that car won't let you speed). At that point it's gonna be one of those 'strange bedfellows' moments with myself and the police unions.

[Warrior_of_Freedom]

The question is wrong. Better to ask:

'Should people buy self-driving cars that cops can control?' And of course they will, because they want the cool gizmos, regardless of how owning one makes it easier to spy on you.

In any case,

I predict that eventually the police lobby will come out against this self-driving technology, as it will severely cut down on fine collecting (that car won't let you speed). At that point it's gonna be one of those 'strange bedfellows' moments with myself and the police unions.

who is responsible if a self driving car hits someone? Do they take the car to court?

[nobody's_hero]

who is responsible if a self driving car hits someone? Do they take the car to court?

And that's another reason I think this technology is a long way off. I'm not a lawyer but I think the company would be held liable.

[Warrior_of_Freedom]

one point has been removed from your license

[surf]

i'd like to think that the "technology" will evolve and solve these problems in a much better way than any gov't mandate to do so could. of course all technological modes of individual transportation and improvements have been hindered by the wonderful infrastructure we have stuck with.

i'd still like to hop in a "pod", smoke a bowl, and arrive at my destination when I choose.

[limequat]

The question is wrong. Better to ask:

'Should people buy self-driving cars that cops can control?' And of course they will, because they want the cool gizmos, regardless of how owning one makes it easier to spy on or control you.

In any case,

I predict that eventually the police lobby will come out against this self-driving technology, as it will severely cut down on fine collecting (that car won't let you speed). At that point it's gonna be one of those 'strange bedfellows' moments with myself and the police unions.

Nope, self driving cars are coming and police will love them. Whether it's admitted or not, law enforcement will have full control. Behind on child support? Car drives you directly to court.

New crimes will be invented to keep the revenue up.

[RonPaulIsGreat]

This is easy, whenever he is horny and sees a hottie driving by. Ask harder questions next time.

[VIDEODROME]

Suppose there was a test city where literally every driver had a self driving car. Also, all of their cars are joined to a traffic network with coordinates the flow of traffic so well you don't even need traffic light or have to stop at intersections.

At this point, I don't see the need for police intervention unless the car has malfunctioned. At that point, the control system is probably unreliable to seize the car by remote anyway.

[Deborah K]

What VIDEODROME said. Autonomous cars are in the works. The set-up for them is happening now. It's going to change everything: car insurance, body shop businesses, traffic violations (registration, brake lights, etc notwithstanding), and such, will pretty much be obsolete.

[VIDEODROME]

Also, what if the police are trying to catch a criminal? In a city-wide traffic network where all the cars are controlled, how would I get to the store or go to work? I just tell the car to take me there which would probably put the request in with the city's traffic control.

So if the police have a warrant, they could just ask the Sys Admin to provide my destination and meet me there when I show up. Car chases would be obsolete.

[Anti Federalist]

The question is wrong. Better to ask:

'Should people buy self-driving cars that cops can control?' And of course they will, because they want the cool gizmos, regardless of how owning one makes it easier to spy on or control you.

In any case,

I predict that eventually the police lobby will come out against this self-driving technology, as it will severely cut down on fine collecting (that car won't let you speed). At that point it's gonna be one of those 'strange bedfellows' moments with myself and the police unions.

Should?

You will not be permitted to own anything but a self driver with full police override, Mundane.

[LibertyEagle]

All the more reason for why no one should want a self-driving car. Sheesh.

[Anti Federalist]

What VIDEODROME said. Autonomous cars are in the works. The set-up for them is happening now. It's going to change everything: car insurance, body shop businesses, traffic violations (registration, brake lights, etc notwithstanding), and such, will pretty much be obsolete.

God save me from the future...you can have it.

[Anti Federalist]

And I'll drop this off on the way out the door.

[Deborah K]

God save me from the future...you can have it.

Can't fight progress, as they say. hmmm.....I wonder if buying shares in the chips needed for autonomous cars would be a good investment......?

[JK/SEA]

Can't fight progress, as they say. hmmm.....I wonder if buying shares in the chips needed for autonomous cars would be a good investment......?

yep...big money. Anyone think that in order to have one of these cars, you would need to have a chip implant in your body somewhere?..

[RonPaulIsGreat]

Can't fight progress, as they say. hmmm.....I wonder if buying shares in the chips needed for autonomous cars would be a good investment......?

That would be NVIDIA at present.

[DamianTV]

who is responsible if a self driving car hits someone? Do they take the car to court?

Always blame the victim!

[Philhelm]

At any time, without oversight?