Today’s biggest roadway concern is distracted drivers.
Soon, that will take on a new dimension: sex could be the next big hazard on our streets.
As more automobile companies begin exploring the world of semi-autonomous cars, experts are beginning to worry that passengers will start to have more time to multitask — which could lead to more in-vehicle foreplay and more accidents.
“I am predicting that, once computers are doing the driving, there will be a lot more sex in cars,” said Barrie Kirk of the Canadian Automated Vehicles Centre of Excellence.
“That’s one of several things people will do which will inhibit their ability to respond quickly when the computer says to the human, ‘Take over’.”
One key to semi-autonomous vehicles is that humans are required to take over the driving responsibilities at any time. And while the driver might have the freedom to reply to emails or eat a snack, they still need to remain focused on the road – and sex would definitely interfere with that.
A report prepared for Transport Minister Marc Garneau the officials noted that “drivers tend to overestimate the performance of automation and will naturally turn their focus away from the road when they turn on their auto-pilot.”
The briefing also recommend new regulations must be put in place to ensure that self-driving cars include a fail-safe mechanism that can take over the vehicle in case the driver is unavailable during an emergency — whether frisky foreplay or sudden death.
Canada’s interest in accommodating the new car technology follows a global push to develop regulatory guidelines that can accommodate autonomous vehicles and create a safer roadway for all vehicles.
Currently, Toronto is exploring how it can bring self-driving car shares to the city despite only one in four Canadians supporting them.
Can’t we all just have sex in parked cars on a hill overlooking the city like we used to?
[ad_bb1]