Driving Into the Unknown: Examining the Crossroads of Criminal Law and Autonomous Vehicles

5 Wake Forest J.L. & Pol'y 393 (2015)

50 Pages Posted: 1 Jan 2015 Last revised: 6 Oct 2015

See all articles by Jeffrey Gurney

Jeffrey Gurney

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP

Date Written: April 22, 2015

Abstract

This Article examines the application of criminal law to autonomous vehicles. The Article begins by providing a background of autonomous vehicles. The Article then examines the general purposes of punishment and traffic laws. The Article next analyzes criminal responsibility for the operator with regard to rules of the road violations, driving under the influence, reckless driving, and vehicular manslaughter. The Article then examines location specific crimes, physical interference with a vehicle, and hacking. This Article argues that the law should be amended because the current application of criminal and traffic laws to autonomous vehicles will make programming the vehicles challenging and enforcing the laws difficult.

Keywords: Autonomous Vehicles, Automated cars, Self-driving car, automobiles, robots, criminal law, driving under the influence, hacking, vehicular manslaughter, reckless driving, traffic violations, rules of the road, purposes of punishment

Suggested Citation

Gurney, Jeffrey, Driving Into the Unknown: Examining the Crossroads of Criminal Law and Autonomous Vehicles (April 22, 2015). 5 Wake Forest J.L. & Pol'y 393 (2015), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2543696

Jeffrey Gurney (Contact Author)

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP ( email )

Poinsett Plaza 9th Floor
104 South Main Street
Greenville, SC 29601
United States

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