Legal Aspects of the Admission of Autonomous Cars to Traffic – A Task for the Polish Legislator. Outline of the Problem

Abstract

The development of technology aims to introduce to the market autonomous vehicles, meaning vehicles able to drive without the influence of a human operator. Solving technical and construction problems is as important as preparing the legal system for the use of autonomous cars. The first regulations were created in some states of the United States. After presenting the chosen statutes, the article will define the motion of an autonomous vehicle and its operator, as well as presenting the attitude of state legislators towards the issue. Those considerations will constitute the basis for indicating specific issues that require the intervention of Polish lawmakers. First, we should define the technical conditions for legalizing autonomous cars as well as the categories of people authorized to operate them. Then, the rules of tort liability for accidents caused by those cars should be created. Lastly, the legislator should define the conditions of penal responsibility for road crimes and infractions.