Two separate things. As the driver, it's up to you, you screw up, you pay the penalty. If you fail to take reasonable action to avoid a collision that your average reasonable driver would have avoided, then usually that is driving without due care and attention.

However, you might I suppose then have a claim against the car manufacturer who sold you something on the basis that if you failed to take action to avoid a collision, then it would, but it hadn't. It would be an interesting argument. Maybe the manufacturer could argue that they were primarily liable for the defective auto-steering; but should pay you nothing as you were 100% contributorily negligent!

Was a case reported this week of a man being awarded $14m in USA where car went off road and side airbag (which was not a compulsory fitting) failed to deploy. Though tbf he was a passenger so couldn't be guilty of contrib. It does show though (as if we didn't know) that technology if fitted will (with 100% certainty) from time to time fail. But your passive airbag going off, or failing to, is one thing; your car suddenly and violently steering you in a different direction is quite another.

On Tuesday a [url=http://www.bigclassaction.com/lawsuit/toyota-prius-pre-collision-system-class-action.phpclass action was begun in USA[/url against Toyota claiming that this feature in the Prius doesn't do what it says on the tin

I'd like to see a "motorway driving" mode, whereby control is taken by the car, allowing people safely to have a coffee, read, eat, put on make-up, brush their hair, chat on the phone, send texts ... you know, all the stuff they already do.

In town centres, I'd simply ban all private wheeled vehicles that are capable of being used at a faster-than-walking-pace (i.e. wheelchairs and prams would be OK), and only allow deliveries between strict hours.

On housing estates and suburbs, I'd have limits at 20mph or even 10 mph in some places.

Taxis would be subject to the same rules as private cars, instead of being allowed wherever buses can go.

... and that's just for starters ...

I thought the objection to this system could turn you into said idiot by avoiding one accident and causing another?

A genuine "must see" for anyone interested in the contribution of scientists, doctors and engineers to car safety is last night's edition of Horizon. Impact! A Horizon guide to car crashes. It's available on BBC iPlayer, BBC Channel 4. Fascinating how these people have worked together to continually deskill the driver