ORLANDO, Fla. – Autonomous vehicles are no longer a futuristic concept in Orlando; they’re here, they’re operating, and naturally, they’re raising some very important questions.
Waymo officially launched its service in Orlando. After getting an up-close look at the technology itself, I wanted to shift the conversation to something that matters just as much as the innovation: safety, responsibility, and what happens when things don’t go perfectly.
For years, I’ve talked about one simple rule on the road: the driver is responsible. But what happens when there is no driver? That’s the new reality we’re stepping into. These vehicles rely on sensors, cameras, mapping, and software to make decisions in real time, and while the technology is incredibly advanced, it doesn’t erase the need for clear rules about accountability.
One of the biggest questions I’ve heard from viewers is about crashes. If an autonomous vehicle is involved in one, who is at fault? Is it the company that operates the vehicle, the manufacturer that built the system, the passenger inside, or the human driver in the other car?
Right now, the answers aren’t always simple, and in many cases, they don’t fully exist yet.
Insurance is another major piece of the puzzle. Traditional policies are built around human drivers... their history, their behavior, their risk. Driverless vehicles don’t fit neatly into that model, which means insurers, lawmakers, and regulators all have work to do to determine how coverage will apply and who ultimately bears financial responsibility.
The reality is that these questions won’t be answered overnight. They will likely be shaped through legislation, court decisions, and guidance from transportation officials and law enforcement leaders who are working to balance innovation with public safety. As autonomous technology continues to expand, so too will the need for clear, consistent rules that protect everyone sharing the road.
What’s clear right now is that the technology has arrived ahead of the policy.
Orlando is among the communities experiencing this shift in real time, and the conversations happening today will help shape how driverless vehicles operate across the country in the years ahead.