Academics are urging Florida lawmakers to consider the fundamental way so-called “autonomous vehicles” will change society.
Experts told a Senate panel driverless cars will eliminate the hassles of commuting and encourage urban sprawl. Florida State University’s Lindsay Stevens says fewer people will need to own a car, but that may have a down side.
“Being the state of Florida, being hurricane prone. Evacuation clearance. What happens when you have automated vehicles that are on a shared system?”
Industry experts say Florida is miles ahead of other states in anticipating the technology and has allowed driverless vehicles on the highway since 2012. This year, lawmakers are considering a bill that makes the technology the responsible party for traffic infractions.
