When humans break traffic laws, it's often because they decide to break the law or do not take appropriate care to ensure that the law is followed. As a result, the process focuses on personal responsibility and accountability for the driver's actions. That framework doesn't map onto self-driving vehicles; we probably shouldn't be trying to force it to fit. Treating a self-driving vehicle that violates traffic laws as a defective product is a better way to frame the issue.
I'd compare it to a situation where a car runs a red light: it could be because the driver wasn't paying attention, or it could have been because the brakes failed and couldn't stop. The breaks could have failed because they weren't properly maintained or because of a flaw in the design. Who is responsible and what appropriate accountability looks like depends on the details. If the driver wasn't paying attention, they should get a citation for violating traffic laws. The operator/owner (the registered owner) should get a citation if the breaks aren't reasonably maintained. If there is a design flaw, a regulatory agency should address the issue with the manufacturer to ensure that the problem is corrected. If the manufacturer was reckless with its design or manufacturing practices, it and/or its employees should be held accountable for those choices.
When humans break traffic laws, it's often because they decide to break the law or do not take appropriate care to ensure that the law is followed. As a result, the process focuses on personal responsibility and accountability for the driver's actions. That framework doesn't map onto self-driving vehicles; we probably shouldn't be trying to force it to fit. Treating a self-driving vehicle that violates traffic laws as a defective product is a better way to frame the issue.
I'd compare it to a situation where a car runs a red light: it could be because the driver wasn't paying attention, or it could have been because the brakes failed and couldn't stop. The breaks could have failed because they weren't properly maintained or because of a flaw in the design. Who is responsible and what appropriate accountability looks like depends on the details. If the driver wasn't paying attention, they should get a citation for violating traffic laws. The operator/owner (the registered owner) should get a citation if the breaks aren't reasonably maintained. If there is a design flaw, a regulatory agency should address the issue with the manufacturer to ensure that the problem is corrected. If the manufacturer was reckless with its design or manufacturing practices, it and/or its employees should be held accountable for those choices.