Self Driving Cars & Their Impact on Motorcycle Safety

Artificial intelligence has become increasingly unavoidable in our everyday lives – and the roads are no exception.

While the legality varies from state to state, more than twenty already have laws on the books allowing for the deployment of autonomous vehicles, while most of the others are now in the process of either introducing or researching their own.

That momentum has only picked up steam in this era of deregulation with the extra incentive to outpace rival nations in what’s become a heated AI arms race. 

As evidence of this development, the National Highway Transportation Security Administration (NHTSA) announced plans to reduce the crash data companies are required to submit to regulators to ease the “unnecessary burden” placed on those looking to innovate and further implement the technology.

Level Up

Here’s a brief guide to how Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are rated according to the NHTSA:

Level 1: Driver Assistance: The driver is fully responsible for driving the vehicle while the system provides continuous assistance with either acceleration/braking OR steering.

Level 2: Additional Driver Assistance: The driver is fully responsible for driving the vehicle while the system provides continuous assistance with both acceleration/braking AND steering.

Level 3: Conditional Automation: The system handles all aspects of driving while the driver remains available to take over driving if the system can no longer operate.

Level 4: High Automation: When engaged, the system is fully responsible for driving tasks within limited-service areas. A human driver is not needed to operate the vehicle.

Level 5: Full Automation: When engaged, the system is fully responsible for driving tasks under all conditions and on all roadways. A human driver is not needed to operate the vehicle.

What This Means for Motorcyclists

Long-term, the wide-spread implementation of effective autonomous vehicle systems could prove a hugely positive development for motorcyclists, potentially eliminating concerns associated with distracted or simply unaware drivers.

It’s no secret that one of the primary dangers faced by motorcyclists is sharing the roads with bigger, heavier machines operated by drivers who often fail to look out for them.

However, there are some very real short- and mid-term concerns associated with getting to that point, particularly as we enter this new phase where much of the ongoing testing will be conducted in the real world.

Worryingly, some of today’s autonomous systems have shown a propensity to collide with motorcycles and in unexpected ways – such as plowing into them from behind at full speed.

What Can We Do?

1. Be Vigilant

While human brains are naturally wired to anthropomorphize – and AIs are often built to encourage that tendency – it’s important to understand that artificial intelligences don’t “think” in the way that humans do. No matter how sophisticated, they can be brittle and fail spectacularly in manners that are difficult to predict or comprehend.

Ironically, that unites autonomous vehicles with distracted or reckless drivers, who also behave in nonsensical ways. Experienced riders understand the importance of defensive riding techniques – anticipating and even expecting irrational actions from other vehicles – while staying armed with high quality protective equipment and being smart about where and when we ride.

2. Make Your Voice Heard

Unless there is a concerted effort to ensure that ADAS are specifically designed and trained to see, recognize, and operate alongside motorcycles, there will be a continued risk to riders associated with their increased implementation.

Do what you can to make this known to your representatives and stand behind nation-wide efforts to do so such as the campaign currently being voiced by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA):

As stated by the AMA:

“The safety of motorcyclists is of singular importance to the mission of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). As technology allows vehicles to communicate with each other and with roadway infrastructure, the promise of improved safety is alluring. To decrease the number of motorcycle crashes and resulting injuries and fatalities, it is paramount that automated vehicle technology, including highly automated vehicles, be capable of recognizing and properly reacting to motorcycles in all traffic situations and settings, including parking lots, amid urban congestion, at intersections and on highways, and rural roads.

“Automated vehicles (AV) have the potential to bring a greater measure of safety to motorcyclists and cannot be overlooked. Distracted driving remains one of the major causes of motorcycle crashes and is frequently the fault of the motorist. A properly designed, complete automated system of control, highly refined in its ability to recognize motorcycles, can truly save lives. The AMA welcomes the potential of this type of vehicle, once thoroughly vetted. Unfortunately, the industry is still many miles away from the development of a fully autonomous Level 5 system that can interact safely with motorcycles in many common real-world situations and instead markets these features with misleading names (Autopilot, Super Cruise, Personal Pilot) while officially referring to them as driver assistance systems.

“The rush to market of driver-assist systems, semi-autonomous vehicles and highly automated vehicles poses a significant threat to motorcyclists when the developers of this technology and the vehicle manufacturers are not held to the highest safety standards throughout the entire development and implementation process. If AV systems are not conceived and developed with motorcycles and motorcyclists in mind, the eventual result could be that motorcycles would be excluded from certain roadways, or worse, banned from roads altogether…” (continued here).

The Law Tigers are Committed to Protecting Riders

If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, our legal team here at Law Tigers is ready to help. For decades, we’ve helped defend the rights of wronged motorcycle riders by providing skilled representation and sound legal advice across the United States. To get a free case evaluation or to schedule your free consultation, call us at Law Tigers today at 1-800-529-8443.