[_rpd]

> How would self-driving cars result in larger and more grisly accidents?

Algorithmic error - algorithm responds poorly to rare environmental condition (naturally or artificially generated).

Emergent behavior error - algorithm for individual vehicle safety causes unsafe conditions for groups of vehicles in certain circumstances.

Security vulnerability - mass hacking of vehicle systems by malicious actors.

Bureaucratic vulnerability - politician or bureaucrat demands mass remote disabling of vehicles or other mass action that plays well in a television soundbite, but for which the system was not designed and can not carry out safely.

There are some big challenges for automated driving. The backlashes against the inevitable disasters could define the industry. No one is going to pay for more than token research into these areas, and regulation is always at least 20 years behind. It's up to the engineers on the ground to build in mitigation mechanisms.