You Can Still Get A DUI in a Self-Driving Car

Despite the capabilities of a self-driving car, the Utah state government has passed a bill stating that you can get a DUI in a self-driving car.
Written by Serena Aburahma
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
You can still get a
DUI
even in a self-driving car if the new regulations passed by the Utah Senate are anything to go by. This rather sobering news means that you can potentially be
charged with a DUI
if you get arrested for driving under the influence in a self-driving vehicle.
Jerry
has all the info you need about DUIs in self-driving cars according to regulations by the Utah government.

The bill includes all self-driving systems

But how will the courts hold you liable for a DUI in a self-driving car? In conjunction with the local House of Representatives, the Utah Senate enacted a law to penalize drivers caught driving under the influence, regardless of whether they had activated the automated driving features.
The bill sought to clear the air over Automatic Driving Systems (ADS) to avoid raising controversy among car owners and the three major automakers investing in self-driving vehicles. 
The Street
reports ADS to include the hardware and software collectively working to execute the entire driving task. The bill has no concession for ADS systems limited to specific operational design domains.
It appears the bill seeks to plug loopholes in the
legal system relating to DUI offenses
. It could serve as a basis for courts, insurance companies, and regulators trying to determine liability for auto accidents, and other issues connected with self-driving systems.
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Attempts to curb drunk driving

Driving under the influence is one of the biggest issues on the roads today, with drunk driving as a major safety issue. And a DUI charge doesn't make matters any better: it's costly and may increase your car insurance rates.
Lawmakers are pushing for stronger regulations to make the roads safer across the country. One such move is to make alcohol detection devices, such as breathalyzers mandatory, designed to stop cars from starting if they detect impairment on the part of the driver.
Autoblog
reports that the idea received support from both political parties, but automakers argue the technology isn't yet ripe for mass production. 
But the Utah Senate won't be waiting for the auto industry to install the technology in their vehicles – you'll get a DUI if you're drunk in a moving self-driven car.

Toward a fully autonomous driving experience

Even as officials grapple with DUI issues on the roads, three major automakers, Ford, Tesla, and General Motors, continue to invest in self-driving vehicles. 
Tesla seeks to achieve full self-driving features by the end of the year, while General Motors announced it will outfit its iconic Celestiq car with an Ultra Cruise autonomous driving assistant.
While GM works on Ultra Cruise, a hands-free driving system designed to allow users to keep their hands off the steering wheel in 95% of all driving situations, Ford is looking to equip its long-awaited F-150 pickup with the feature to let the vehicle park itself.
You'll certainly love to get your hands on the Tesla's futuristic Cybertruck, or the F-150, for its mind-blowing self-driving capabilities, but you'll still get a DUI if you're arrested drunk despite activating the full range of the vehicle's self-driving features.
But these inventions won't give you the leeway to drink and drive – even if your hands aren't on the wheel.

 Get cheaper insurance for your self-driving car

But this doesn't mean you can't cruise around in the latest self-driving car. You only need to find cheaper car insurance, and that's where
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