Would You Ride in a Car With Nobody Driving?
Read Time: 2 minutes
Self-driving vehicles are getting more attention, but most Canadians are still not ready to own one.
A recent Canadian survey found:
❌ 65% are not interested in buying a self-driving vehicle
😟 61% would not feel safe inside one
🚘 60% still prefer driving themselves
💰 40% believe the technology will be too expensive
Only 13% said they would consider buying an autonomous vehicle within the next two years.
Robo taxis may come first
Instead of buying a self-driving vehicle, Canadians may first experience the technology through robo-taxi services.
You would request a ride through an app, similar to Uber, but the vehicle could arrive without a driver.
Although fully driverless taxis are not yet commonly available in Canada, vehicle technology is developing quickly.
Who pays after an accident?
Many vehicles already include features such as:
• Automatic braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane assistance
• Parking assistance
However, these features do not make a vehicle fully self-driving.
The driver must remain alert and in control. If an accident happens while these features are being used, the driver or vehicle owner may still be responsible.
As vehicles become more automated, insurers and regulators will need to determine whether responsibility belongs to the driver, manufacturer, software provider, or autonomous driving system.
What Ontario drivers should know
Do not assume your vehicle’s technology protects you from liability.
Before your renewal, review your liability coverage, accident benefits, collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, and deductibles.