A Driver Test For Self-Driving Cars Isn't Enough
I recently read yet another argument that a driving road test should be enough to certify an autonomous vehicle as safe for driving. In general, the idea was that if it's good enough to put a 16 year old on the road, it should be good enough for a self-driving vehicle. I see this idea enough that it's worth explaining why it it's a really bad one. Even if we were to assume that a self-driving vehicle is no different than a person (which is clearly NOT true), applying the driving test is only half the driver license formula. The other half is the part about being 16 years old . If a 12 year old is proficient at operating a vehicle, we still don't issue a drivers license. In addition to technical skills and book knowledge, we as a society have imposed a maturity requirement in most states of "being 16." It is typical that you don't get an unrestricted license until you're perhaps 18. And even then you're probably not a great driver at any a