레벨 4 자율주행자동차 등장에 따른 형사법적 문제 검토: 일본 도로교통법 개정사항을 중심으로

Abstract

As global automakers, including Tesla, are mass-producing Level 3 autonomous vehicles in earnest, and various measures are being taken to strengthen autonomous driving capabilities, such as piloting Level 4 autonomous vehicles in key leading countries, the development of global autonomous driving technology and the growth of the related automotive market are expected to accelerate. In Korea, the City of Seoul became the first city in the world to start regular operation of a late-night autonomous bus that connects downtown and suburban areas from 23:30 on December 4, 2023. Seoul has installed a majority of traffic signal control facilities for the safe operation of late-night self-driving buses and has established various safety measures for late-night self-driving bus passengers, such as the obligation to wear seat belts on all seats and a ban on standing. Additionally, they have prepared various safety measures such as safety responses to inevitable drinkers and the boarding of special safety personnel to prevent safety accidents. However, even Level 4 autonomous vehicles cannot be entirely safe from traffic accidents. Therefore, the Japanese Road Traffic Act stipulates the duty of care of business operators and supervisors in the event of a traffic accident involving Level 4 autonomous vehicles, as well as the duty of prompt response by on-site action workers.