1st ICAI 2020

International Conference on Automotive Industry 2020

Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic

Legal Aspects of Autonomous Vehicles in USA and Brazil José Geraldo Romanello Bueno 1 , Michely Vargas Del Puppo Romanello 2 Mackenzie Presbyterian University 1 Faculty of Law, Department of Civil Law Av. Brasil, 1220, Jd. Guanabara, Campinas/SP Brazil São Paulo Catholic University 2 Faculty of Law, Department of Civil Law Rua Monte Alegre, 984, Perdizes, São Paulo/SP Brazil e-mail: gromanello@usp.br 1 , michelydelpupo@hotmail.com 2 Abstract This paper considers the potential impacts of completely self-driving vehicles on vehicular liability and provides an information about legal regulation of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in USA and Brazil. Potential benefits of self-driving cars are increased mobility for people who can’t drive, the promise of safer roadways, and hours of driving time dedicated to a more productive use. Technical professionals have to be aware of legal regulation of AVs as well in order to get the opportunity to discuss the feasibility of different legal statements. Liability questions is investigated as it might cause today’s main legal obstacle for the wide spreading of autonomous cars. The authors make recommendations of technological regulation and law, in order to deal with the main problems that might hamper the development of autonomous transport technology. Finally, the authors draw attention to significant legal challenges that AVs address to lawmakers, insurance companies, consumers and car manufacturers. Keywords: autonomous vehicles (AV), legal obstacles, liability, policy, safety, social equity JEL Classification: K13 1. Introduction Over the past few years, notable advances have been made in the field of automotive technology, particularly regarding to vehicle automation. In this sense, it is no longer an exercise in futurology to imagine vehicles traveling on public roads without a driver driving them, or even ready to take charge. In fact, the question today is no longer whether there will be such vehicles, but when they will be the majority on our streets and roads. It is important to highlight that the completely autonomous vehicle is not the result of a single research, but follows the same path as several other inventions, such as the automobile itself or the airplane, that is, they result from several previous technologies and research that are grouped together forming a innovative set that is more than the sum of its parts.

222