[otterley]

The law has distinguished between Persons (which can include corporations) and Natural Persons (which does not) since corporations were invented. The latter is even a term of art in the law. Though I haven't researched it, it's probably even mentioned specifically in the California Vehicle Code.

The judge was probably just too busy and irritated by this complete waste of his time to even remember.

[ghshephard]

Indeed, the California Vehicle Code does mention "Natural Person" as follows:

DIVISION 1. WORDS AND PHRASES DEFINED Application of Definitions 100. Unless the provision or context otherwise requires, these definitions shall govern the construction of this code.

...

Person

470. "Person" includes a natural person, firm, copartnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation.

Amended Ch. 1010, Stats. 1994. Effective January 1, 1995.

[Edit: Full Vehicle Code here: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/veh_code.pdf ]

[dman]

Wonder where autonomous cars will fit in.

[ghshephard]

DIVISION 16.6. AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES ...

38750. (a) (4) An “operator” of an autonomous vehicle is the person who is seated in the driver’s seat, or if there is no person in the driver’s seat, causes the autonomous technology to engage.

...

38750 (c) (1) (G) The autonomous vehicle has a separate mechanism, in addition to, and separate from, any other mechanism required by law, to capture and store the autonomous technology sensor data for at least 30 seconds before a collision occurs between the autonomous vehicle and another vehicle, object, or natural person while the vehicle is operating in autonomous mode.

[jfoutz]

So if I remotely summon an autonomous car to pick up a kid from school, the carpool lane is legal while the car has only the kid?

[ghshephard]

Note that the above defines an operator, and regardless, in your scenario, you aren't in the vehicle.