On Wed, 22 Nov 2017 23:18:36 +0000, Steve Walker
wrote:

snip

When they are good enough, I can see them being great for many journeys,
both long boring ones or shorter repetetive ones.

I forsee one massive problem though. Once pedestrians and cyclists get
used to them, they'll simply step/pull out without waiting for a gap in
the traffic, knowing that the cars WILL stop. A recipe for chaos as huge
numbers of pedestrians cross anywhere and everywhere causing emergency
stops, minor injuries as passengers are thrown around and traffic
stopping and starting continually causing massive delays. Cyclists will
be free to jump all the lights in safety, change lanes without warning,
ride the wrong way along roads, etc.

At least cars with actual drivers will still be identifieable by their
number plates, so they won't be able to rely on the same actions without
any sanctions.

It'll also be a paradise for muggers who can wait 'til only a single car
is passing, jump out and rob the passengers.

The only practical way I can see to prevent these problems is one that I
can't see being accepted - program the cars to sometimes not stop in
time, so that people remain wary. Not late enough to cause serious
injury, but certainly enough to hurt and shock.

All good points that I'd not considered (as I'm not a Highwayman or
red-light-jumping cyclist). ;-)

Cheers, T i m