Scooters in Rome (Italy)
The Google car was just involved in another accident, which shows that research and development still has to continue. But Google is not alone in developing new automated systems to take away some (or maybe one day all) driving tasks. Automation plays a large part in civil aviation, so maybe cars too?
FIM is discussing these issues with the European Union and other partners including the FIA which speaks for drivers. In a letter to the EU Commission dated 11 March 2016 FIM set out its position: “We do not wish to see any roads where motorcyclists currently have access denied to riders. Or indeed to pedestrians, cyclists and users of public transport. There is a case for the use of dedicated lanes on some parts of the road network provided other vehicles can access the same road”.
FIM’s Director of Public Affairs John Chatterton-Ross added: “There are bright prospects with some of this new technology using vehicle to vehicle communications to reduce collisions – particularly at junctions. All authorities need to work together. This is why FIM is also discussing these issues with the United Nations in Geneva at the end of this month. I hope they will coordinate their work with that of the European Union in Brussels. We also expect to see this taken up by governments in the G7 later this year so that we ca have a global approach. The rights of motorcyclists to continue to use the roads will be asserted by FIM”, concluded Mr John Chatterton-Ross.
“While the majority of the tests at the moment are performed in the United States we feel the particular difficulty and constraint of the European circulation”, stated Silvio Manicardi, FIM Europe 2nd Deputy President. “Here, in fact, there are 37 millions of powered two wheels on the road, which need a special attention from authorities, due to the fact that cars and motorcycles are sharing the roads in higher percentage than in the United States”.
The Google Car
