Canadian Official: Autonomous Cars Could Prompt Behind-the-Wheel Sex

Canadian officials are concerned that autonomous cars could lead to more distracted driving behind the wheel, according to CBC News. One distraction behind the wheel mentioned in the report specifically references sex, which would interfere with the occupants’ ability to take over vehicle controls if needed.

“I am predicting that, once computers are doing the driving, there will be a lot more sex in cars,” Barrie Kirk of the Canadian Automated Vehicles Centre of Excellence, told CBC News.

“That’s one of several things people will do which will inhibit their ability to respond quickly when the computer says to the human, ‘Take over.'”

While automakers are still working on fully autonomous cars, a recent update to Tesla’s Autopilot feature has come one step closer. While we found the Tesla Autopilot feature to work relatively well, there were a few incidences where Motor Trend road test editor Chris Walton needed to intervene to prevent a collision.

Canadian officials have noted their concerns about Tesla’s Autopilot feature in briefing notes compiled for Canadian Transport Minister Marc Garneau. A few excerpts include:

“The issue of the attentive driver is … problematic,” and “Drivers tend to overestimate the performance of automation and will naturally turn their focus away from the road when they turn on their auto-pilot.”

In December, Tesla released a new update that placed restrictions on the Autopilot and Autosteer features after several videos were posted online showing drivers practicing unsafe behavior behind the wheel, including sitting in the backseat. The automaker has always warned drivers to stay alert and keep their hands on the wheel at all times.

“It really needs to be emphasized that these vehicles are not truly self-driving,” officials told CBC News, adding that fully autonomous cars are “still a few years away.”

While several U.S. states have come up with their own regulations regarding semi-autonomous and autonomous cars, the Canadian federal government is in the process of developing its own set of rules for the new technologies. Initial regulations would require “failsafe mechanism that can respond to situations when the driver is not available,” according to briefing notes. Black box devices used in airplanes are another possible requirement for autonomous cars. Ontario regulations require an expert in the driver’s seat who can take over control at any given time of an autonomous vehicle.

Kirk is concerned that a distracted driver may not be able to take over vehicle controls when needed: “People will not be able to respond in time.”

Where do you stand on the issue? Should we be allowed to get frisky if the car is doing the driving? Sound off in the comments below.

Source: CBC News

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