On: Growing proof that autonomous cars save lives

[diydsp]

100%.

This is exactly the type of nuance that the comparison fails on. Plus we have limited info here.

Yes ofc we must yield to pedestrians. And we also make nuanced decisions. "There's a motorcycle moving too fast behind me. There's a pedestrian in front of me."

If the pedestrian would be killed or struck by the vehicle, then yes you need to stop and/or steer away. But if it's about merely inconveniencing the pedestrian to prevent an accident, that's the ethical duty.

That's the nuance the rule "always yield to pedestrians" needs to consider.

[tim333 → diydsp]

Perhaps but if the motorcycle crashes into the back of a car because it slows down normally then it's the motorcyclists fault really.

We have highway rules for a reason, to make things safe and orderly.