Tesla driver who killed 2 people while using autopilot must pay $23,000 in restitution without having to serve any jail time::The case is believed to be the first time that U.S. prosecutors have brought felony charges against a motorist who was using a partially automated driving system.
Auto manufacturers must be held liable for faulty software. If it’s not safe, it does not go on the road
Only if the software is causing the accident or preventing the driver from avoiding one. Here the fault of the software was to not slow down out of the highway (which by experience must be a very specific situation because it most certainly do), the drive could have disengage autopilot or applied brakes to stop at the red light. The software specifically mentions it can’t stop at red lights and alerts the driver when it’s about to burn one. 100% of fault is the driver here.
Are manufacturers solely responsible for safety, or lack thereof, on the public roads of the USA?
I don’t believe they are.
Solely? No. But if the airbag, seatbelt, or self-driving autopilot feature that they created contributed to someone’s death, they are partially responsible and should face consequences or punishments. Especially if they market it as a safe feature.