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"Driverless cars will always pose a risk"

Comments update: readers have been hotly contesting the safety of autonomous vehicles this week after the first death caused by a self-driving car was reported.


Death trap? The driver of an electric Tesla car was killed in a road collision after its Autopilot mode failed to recognise an oncoming lorry. The tragic incident comes at a time when regulators across the world are considering how to safely introduce autonomous technology on public roads.

"Human guinea pigs," wrote Kay. "We come up with half-baked brilliant ideas with good potential, pay and lobby our way into making it a reality, then watch the horror show unfold."

"Driverless cars will always pose a risk," added Buck. "They should direct driverless car studies towards accident prevention. It shouldn't just be an option that you can switch on if you are drunk or don't feel like driving."

Others held a different view, calling for the technology to be embraced despite the setback.

"As unfortunate as this is, I think [everyone] should keep in mind that on the day you are reading this 117 people in America died in car-related accidents," said a commenter calling themselves Camden Greenlee. "Tomorrow, another 117 people will die, and the same the next day. Let's not let the best be the enemy of the good."

"The technology will advance far more than what is currently expected – as it always has," proffered JK. "Progress will eliminate deaths on the road."

Would you trust autonomous technology with your life? Let us know in the comments section »


Brexit backlash: architects and designers were among tens of thousands to protest against a UK exit from the European Union in London on Saturday, but commenters felt their time would be better spent working towards solutions.

"I'm totally fed up with hearing the absolute nonsense being peddled by the Remain brigade," wrote David. "[When] will the Remain people realise that the EU is very strongly weighted against us, and we are far, far better on our own?"

"The juvenile rhetoric as seen in the signs is embarrassing," added regular contributor Colonel Pancake. "Young people didn't vote. I have no idea why they think we should suddenly care about their futures if they don't care enough to take part in deciding them."

Some readers defended their right to protest, expressing concerns that it would seriously damage their professions.

"I'll tell you what's humour sapping – the possibility of losing your shirt because contracts with your trading partners in Europe have all of a sudden evaporated because we have become little Britain outside the EU instead of Great Britain inside of it," hit back Architect_c32.

Should UK-based creatives accept the referendum result and start working constructively on post-Brexit policies? Let us know in the comments section »


Poster boy: in other Brexit news, the ad agencies behind the Remain campaign revealed poster designs that weren't used, including one that likened controversial politician and pro-Leave campaigner Nigel Farage to Hitler.

"What an awful indictment of the Remain cause," said Fastship. "Left with no cogent arguments and bereft of any moral position, the brightest and the best of the British advertising industry had only these vicious, hate-filled ad hominem narratives to offer."

"If all you have is sneering and insults for those that don't share your opinion you deserve everything that is coming to you," agreed Derek, while Felix described the posters as "embarrassing".

"This is exactly what the Remain camp needed" countered Adam King. "They lacked a brand with a bold and confident opinion. Even though a lot was untrue, the Leave campaign did have a brand and confident opinion".

Was Remain's Stronger In campaign too weak? Tell us what you think in the comments section »


Slippery slope:transparent slide at the top of Los Angeles' tallest skyscraper opened to thrill-seeking visitors last week, but many commenters felt the attraction looked like a bit of an anticlimax.

"It would have been even more fun (and scarier!) if the slide looped around the building's exterior and delivered the rider down a few floors," said Yuo Hainess.

"This idea could have been way more badass," agreed Danillo, while regular commenter Spadestick compared it to a colourless gimmick found in Google's headquarters.

"As a current resident of LA, this is only frightening on the days that smog doesn't obscure the view," concluded The Liberty Disciple. Read the comments on this story »

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