Michigan may increase penalties for hacking self-driving cars

The state called the conventional home of the vehicle industry is preparing to handle among the dark sides of the coming self-driving car transformation.

The Michigan Senate unanimously passed a set of bills Thursday that would increase the penalties for hindering the computer systems of autonomous, or self-driving, vehicles.

Presently, there is a 10-year sentence and $50,000 fine for anybody who tampers with the computer system of a driverless car that results in injury. The new costs would increase the charge to life in prison if the interference with the computer system led to death.

The law wouldn’t apply to automobile makers or licensed mechanics who are servicing the vehicle. If it’s discovered that the tampering could be or was reversed without any injury to the automobile’s owner could be based on a misdemeanor charge bring a 93-day prison sentence and an optimum fine of $500.

The legislation comes amidst issue that automobiles with innovative computer systems are prone to hacking.

The issue becomes all the more crucial as vehicles end up being self driving, considering that occupants won’t have the ability to react as fast.