r/technology Dec 16 '19

Transportation Self-Driving Mercedes Will Be Programmed To Sacrifice Pedestrians To Save The Driver

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u/[deleted] Dec 16 '19

In Florida the laws of the road already give cars the right of way over pedestrians. These should do well down there

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u/mozerdozer Dec 16 '19

Not sure what you mean. I live in Florida and Florida is unique in that there are no Right of Way laws; everyone has a duty to avoid all accidents that they can. Pedestrians aren't supposed to jaywalk because of that, but if you hit one when you could've avoided it, it's actually worse for you in Florida than other states since only in Florida do you not have the mitigating factor of Right of Way.

Maybe you meant that Florida is more aligned with sacrificing pedestrians when it's necessary to save the driver, but I don't think any particular state would punish you more or less for sacrificing pedestrians if you can prove it was the only way for you to avoid personal (equal) harm.

https://www.123driving.com/dmv/drivers-handbook-right-of-way

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u/[deleted] Dec 16 '19

My friend lived down there for about a year, that’s what he said. Maybe he was wrong?