Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
Divorce, Maintenance, Personal Injury, Medical Negligence
There have been a lot of media about the Tesla Autopilot, just so as there is with everything involving Elon Musk. Cars being driven by an Autopilot are of course something right out of science fiction movies and no doubt part of our future. In the early days there is no doubt going to be many horrific stories, enquiries, investigations and the usual fuss. I like what somebody wrote about the Tesla Autopilot review online, which another website picked up, where he said, “I actually think there are a lot of crap drivers out there, and I think this is probably better than a lot of people.”
That quote probably best illustrates what this story is about because around the world there is approximately one fatality for every 96 million km that are driven. The Tesla Autopilot has already been driven for 210 million km before the first reported incident, so on pure statistics alone that is safer than most cars driven by human beings.
The reality of the matter is of course there are going to be problems, of course there are going to be software issues and while the systems are in their infancy, people must play with these toys with care. Don’t engage the Autopilot facility if you don’t have confidence in it and don’t get an Autopilot facility in your car until such time as they have been around for a few years. The media loves to sensationalise stories and it is much more exciting to announce that somebody has been killed, while leaving out that he was watching a movie, while his car drove on Autopilot, than it is to just mention every minute of the day somebody else in the world was run over by a driver or two people collided at an intersection and due to human error another 2 or 3 people died. It is something to bear in mind whenever you are watching the news – much of what you see is sensationalised and the unusual is picked up and reported. In our firm’s experience, for example, we had a client who was on the back of a donkey cart when the donkey cart was hit by a car. That of course made the media because it is different, it is weird and it made a much more interesting story.
The media are looking either for a sensational award or an attorney who stole the money or some sort of freak accident. They are not interested in the run-of-the-mill case where an attorney gets his client R1 million and the client walks away with R750 000,00 and the attorney has not stolen all the money. That is boring, because that is considered normal and normal does not make the news. So, the news will always be filled with the abnormal – a lightning strike, the alligator killing someone, the lions in the Lion Park killing someone, etc.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Wednesday 10-Aug-16
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Comments
Henrietta said:
on Tuesday 04-Oct-16 05:26 PM
Ultimately trust and control plays a big roll with something like this. If you are a person who must be in control this type of technology will not appeal to you. Not something that I would try. I also have to agree with some of the comment that it could be beneficial to disabled people
tersia said:
on Monday 03-Oct-16 09:06 AM
I saw a story the other day where they hacked into the car that could drive on it's own and then they made the car drive off into a lake - I know it's just a story but hey these things could really happen. People are that smart to hack into things and are so violent to cause someone's death n such way! I trust myself, I prefer driving even if there is the option of who is driving between me and my friends I will rather!!
Nicky said:
on Tuesday 23-Aug-16 12:32 PM
I agree that media will generally rather focus on what will sell the most, as opposed to publishing "boring" factual stories.
Ashleigh said:
on Friday 19-Aug-16 08:59 AM
Autopilot should be still followed by someone who can take control should technical difficulties occur. I would not be able to trust autopilot with my life.
Zanell said:
on Thursday 18-Aug-16 04:19 PM
Hmmm I would definitely love to have a car that could drive me, although I think it would take me a long time to trust it. I would definitely not use it all the time though
Cornelie said:
on Thursday 18-Aug-16 12:24 PM
If this will safe lives why not get into a car that is driven by a computer and just imagine what the government can do with the money they pay to the raf a month it can be invested in so much other things because there will be less injuries to pay out.
tamzyn said:
on Thursday 18-Aug-16 07:25 AM
I would definitely enjoy one - I always feel like sitting in traffic is a waste of time, but if my car is driving itself I could have a nap!
Suzanne said:
on Tuesday 16-Aug-16 12:22 PM
It is unfortunately true what you say about the media. I must admit, I am probably a bit more lenient towards the idea of autopilot after I read the statistics in your blog. I do still think we have a long way to go before this will become "the thing" in SA.
Natasha said:
on Monday 15-Aug-16 08:22 AM
I am not comfortable with a computer driving me around ,I don't think I will ever be comfortable with it how will it detect when someone is going to highjack you or drive into you
Sinead said:
on Friday 12-Aug-16 08:58 AM
Okay try auto-pilot driving in Johannesburg town. This could never work here unless it can handle being pushed off the road by a taxi or something. What about if you are being hijacked? How does a computer respond to that? What about speed limits?
It sounds like a cool idea but I like being in control and I don't think I could trust a computer. I'd probably be screaming 'No' and take control anyway.
Zindy said:
on Friday 12-Aug-16 08:13 AM
I still have mixed emotions about this whole auto pilot story. Honestly I like to be in control of a vehicle I dont know if I trust a computer yet. I understand that its new technology and change is all part of the future but I would have to see it to believe it.
Joyce said:
on Thursday 11-Aug-16 04:35 PM
when one thinks about what if there is a system error, It sounds more scary of Tesla Autopilot
Catherine said:
on Thursday 11-Aug-16 04:32 PM
The age of technology. I honestly believe Africa still has along way to go before the autopilot vehicles can be introduced in the continent. The scary bit is,if the software malfunctions and there is eminent danger then what?
Mathilda said:
on Thursday 11-Aug-16 03:37 PM
It will take time before people will actually trust it enough to purchase this devise for themselves..
I for one will not feel safe to be driving in a car that Im not driving myself; I get nervous driving with another human so this will not be for me, I need to be in control
Sarah said:
on Thursday 11-Aug-16 11:37 AM
It could be interesting to see how it works. What is the system has an error in a situation when you must think quick? not sure if I can trust it
Latoya said:
on Thursday 11-Aug-16 11:33 AM
I don't think it would be a great idea to have this kind of vehicle running in South Africa. I would might agree with Alexis as for the people who cannot drive, It all depends, but not for me.
Kaylee said:
on Wednesday 10-Aug-16 02:41 PM
Its amazing how far technology has come! I am not sure how I would feel about not being in control. I agree that this is a great advantage for disabled people.
Juliet said:
on Wednesday 10-Aug-16 02:33 PM
Things cannot stay the same and development must happen or the world would stagnate. I would love to see what is happening in this world in terms of technology in about 500 years.
Lucretia said:
on Wednesday 10-Aug-16 12:17 PM
I am not sure I would like an autopilot car. I actually enjoy driving. Perhaps on a long road, speed control is ok but to do the actual driving, I enjoy. Good music and an open road always gets my thumbs up.
Angelique P said:
on Wednesday 10-Aug-16 11:46 AM
I wouldnt mind to have an Autopilot car but then everybody must have one.
People these days can't drive properly. I will feel much safer if every car has Autopilot. I think this will be less stressful then to drive yourself.
Of course there will be problems but I think much less accidents will occur. We will just wait and see for how much the car will go for .
Johann said:
on Wednesday 10-Aug-16 11:39 AM
Very interesting how the media focuses on the bad news to sell newspapers etcetera. I guess people are more interested to know what the dangers are out there than what is safe.
Bianca said:
on Wednesday 10-Aug-16 09:56 AM
I think initially this would be a great adjustment and one would probably not feel at ease even for the first 20 trips that you make in the vehicle with one being "out of control." I do think though it will certainly become reality and in years to come, we wont believe that we actually used to drive a vehicle! I do think that Sally has made a very valid point and this is exception for those who are physically unable to operate a vehicle, at present they have Uber and taxi services but imagine the pride in owning your own vehicle and also being able to "drive" with a disability.
Sally said:
on Wednesday 10-Aug-16 09:07 AM
This can be beneficial for individuals with disabilities and cannot drive their own vehicle now and always need to rely on someone else. I cannot see that this can be a success as technology cannot foresee something like sudden emergency. The only way that this might work is when all motor vehicles are manufactured to drive autopilot and no individual driving anymore. That will also reduce accidents a lot and put all of us out of a job doing RAF claims
Brenda van den Bergh said:
on Wednesday 10-Aug-16 08:52 AM
This sort of vehicle should never be introduced in South Africa. There are way too many negligent drivers in our country and I dont think a computer driven vehicle will be alert to the negligence of this magnitude on our roads.
I like to feel like I am in control when I drive because I often feel that I have to think for the other drivers as well. Just this morning a driver practically pushed me off the road and I had to break for them as they just come over with not even an indicator. I don't think a car driving on auto pilot will see that coming as it happens so fast and it happens very often on our Roads.
So no I would not trust this vehicle on our roads, it is just too risky.
Alexis said:
on Wednesday 10-Aug-16 08:48 AM
I do not think that this is a bad idea. For those bad drivers, even people whom cannot drive due to reasons of their own. My only issue with regards to same, is what if you get into a situation where you need to think quick to avoid an accident or whatever - is the vehicle going to interpret and deal with same?
Angelique Jurgens said:
on Wednesday 10-Aug-16 08:42 AM
To trust all kinds of people out there or technology? Mmmm tough one. Crazy people, drunk people, high people, reckless and negligent people and then auto pilot self driven car.... Not in South Africa. Firstly a small amount of people could probably afford it secondly is it equip for hijackings and crazy taxi drivers?
I'll give it a miss thanks. Perhaps better for long holidays trips, still would not fall asleep.
Daniella said:
on Wednesday 10-Aug-16 08:37 AM
I think that it would definitely take a while for this car to get big , as people wouldn't feel safe immediately , i would be so scared that something would go wrong,
Jessica M said:
on Wednesday 10-Aug-16 08:07 AM
Well now if you have ever watched back to the future or any of those movies, the people back then knew this type of technology will come out. I must say I wouldn't trust auto pilot especially on busy roads like in Joburg, you would never be able to use it.
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
