No Driver - No Ticket?

A police officer in California pulled over a Google self driving car for driving too slowly. It was driving 24 mph in a 35 mph zone, and traffic was getting congested behind it. The police officer noticed that no one was driving it, but there was a passenger inside(California law requires someone to sit in the driver's seat of self-driving cars, though the person isn't actually driving). The officer pulled over the vehicle and informed the passenger about section 22400(a) of the California Vehicle Code that refers to the minimum speed law, so traffic isn't impeded.

In a later blog post, Google said that their cars have their speed capped at 25 miles per hour for safety reasons. The officer determined that the car didn't break any laws, so no ticket was issued.
The self-driving cars are considered "neighborhood electric vehicles" under the California Vehicle Code, and can be on roadways with speed limits at or under 35 mph.

Comments from Allen:

This story gives some insight into the headaches coming concerning driverless cars.  It is estimated that there will be lots of driverless cars on the highways soon, and that by 2025 the majority of cars on our highways will have no drivers.  State legislatures are now trying to re-write traffic safety laws around the idea that cars will be driven according to software developed by some software engineer in another state years ago.  Cars are even being programmed to make a moral decision, in certain situations, to aim for one vehicle containing two people instead of a bus carrying children when in an unavoidable accident.

So far, the driving record of driverless cars appears to be very good.  The legal questions concerning driverless cars are very complicated, and my understanding is that driverless cars do require a certain amount of driving by real, live people before autopilot is engaged, and also after leaving the main roads.  Can you get a ticket for drunk driving when you are the only person in one of these driverless cars?  Stay tuned; your legislature will be asked to answer this and many more driverless-car questions in the very near future.

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Allen Browning is an attorney in Idaho Falls, Idaho who handles personal injury and criminal defense. He has over 30 years of experience and handled thousands of cases. Allen handles cases from all over Idaho. Call (208) 542-2700 to set up a free consultation if you are facing legal trouble or you have been involved in an accident.

Also, check out browninglaw.net for more information about Allen and Browning Law.

Allen Browning can help with all personal injury claims including motor vehicle accidents,truck accidents, auto accidents, serious and disabling accidents, and wrongful death claims.

Allen Browning is an Idaho Falls attorney who can also help with drunk driving (DUI), traffic violations, Felony, Misdemeanor, Domestic Violence, Drug Crimes, Theft, Juvenile Crimes, battery and assault charges, Violent Crimes, and Probation/Parole Violations. He is one of the most experienced and successful criminal defense attorneys in Idaho.
Allen is able to provide his services if the incident occurs in the following Idaho Areas: American Falls, Arco, Blackfoot, Boise, Burley, Driggs, Idaho Falls, Malad City, Pocatello, Rexburg, Rigby, Salmon, St. Anthony, Twin Falls, Bannock County, Bingham County, Bonneville County, Butte County, Cassia County, Clark County, Fremont County, Jefferson County, Lemhi County, Madison County, Oneida County, Power County, Teton County, and Twin Falls County.
   
Sources for more information:

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/13/us/google-self-driving-car-pulled-over/index.html?iref=obinsite

http://www.ctvnews.ca/autos/california-officer-pulls-over-google-self-driving-car-that-had-no-driver-1.2656878

http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_29110712/

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/vctop/vc/d11/c7/a2/22400

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