Uber has removed its self-driving cars from public roads following what is believed to be the first pedestrian death associated with self-driving technology. The vehicle, equipped with a sensor system that uses radars, cameras and lasers to detect things like pedestrians and other cars, was in autonomous mode when it struck and killed Elaine Herzberg, a 49-year-old woman, around 10 p.m. on Sunday.
Up until this tragic event occurred, Uber had been testing autonomous cars on state roads in Tempe as well as San Francisco, Pittsburg and Toronto. While self-driving technology is still in the experimental stage, many state and federal policymakers have taken a lenient approach to regulatory legislation. According to the National Conference of State Legislation, 33 states introduced laws related to autonomous vehicles in 2017.
There is an argument to be made that self-driving cars are being pushed forward more quickly than regulations can be made, and oversight can be had. These cars should be kept on private streets until proven to be 100% safe.
Read more about the event: Self-Driving Uber Car Kills Pedestrian in Arizona, Where Robots Roam