I’m all for ending public testing if we end it for everyone — human drivers included. If we allow a kid with no driving experience out onto public roads with only a biased party as his/her supervisor, and with no override controls at that, then we as a society have proven that we value real-world vehicle operation as training. And if we allow people to drive cars while impaired without requiring some level of observation, then we as a society have proven that we don’t value verification of roadworthiness. Does it make sense? No. Should self-driving software with a trained, sober and liable operator at the wheel be treated differently? No.

If we aren’t attacking the horrendous lack of training and observation in human drivers, then all this about the dangers of AVs on public roads is scapegoating to avoid personal responsibility.