Uber Gets Liberal From Its Self-Driving Car Fatal Accident At Arizona

Key Highlights

Uber’s Volvo sports utility vehicle in its self-driving mode hit Elaine Herzberg, 49, on 18th March 2018

The scope of application of self-driving technology practically on roads is in danger.

Prosecutors finally found Uber not criminally liable for the self-driving

Uber in March 2018 faced a catastrophic situation of the death of a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona. This incident occurred while Uber was testing its self-driving vehicle. Uber has done a settlement with the family of the victim but still, there were little chances of charges on the company for death.

The incident took place on 18th March 2018 when a Uber’s Volvo sports utility vehicle in its self-driving mode hit Elaine Herzberg, 49, as she was walking her bicycle across the street at night. The car was moving at a speed of 40miles per hour and the car was at autonomous mode with safety driver sited on driver’s seat.

On Tuesday, Prosecutors told they get “no basis for criminal responsibility” for Uber possibly setting a precedent for future litigation involving autonomous vehicles. On reviewing the case by The Yavapai County Attorney’s Office, decision cane that investors should investigate, what the safety driver “would or should have seen that night given the vehicle’s lighting conditions, speed, and other relevant factors.”

According to the Arizona Republic Report, a report released by Tempe police department Tempe in June 2018. The report said that a safety driver was watching a television show, “The Voice” on her phone while the crash took place. 

The crash in March 2018 was the first crash by self-driving technology vehicle thus resulting in the death of a pedestrian and it emerged as a challenge for prosecutors to effectively approach a criminal investigation. This incident raised a question on the effectiveness of technology and should it be applied practically or not. 

Due to this accident, Uber suspended the operation of self-driving technology vehicles on roads for nine months. It came live in action once again in December with its operations at reduced speed and application in less challenging areas.

According to the report released in May, the National Transportation Safety Board revealed the Uber car’s computer system had recognized Ms. Herzberg six seconds prior to the impact, but recognized Ms. Herzberg, who was not in a crosswalk, initially as an unrecognized object, then as the different vehicle and finally as a bicycle. But now prosecutors have finally found Uber not criminally liable for the self driving crash.

Stay connected to us for latest updates!