Assessing The Legal and Ethical Paradigms for Autonomous Vehicles in India: A Comprehensive Review of Existing Legislation and Prospective Reforms

Abstract

The quick progression of autonomous vehicles (AVs) brings about important opportunities and challenges, especially in developing nations such as India. Though countries like the US, Germany, and Japan have well-established regulations for AV technology, India's laws and ethics in this area are still lacking in development. This paper evaluates the present condition of AV regulation in India, points out deficiencies in its legal structure, and contrasts it with the sophisticated frameworks in developed nations. It brings attention to important concerns like the lack of AV-specific regulations in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, inadequate safety measures, and issues regarding data privacy, cybersecurity, and liability. The research delves deeper into the moral quandaries linked to AVs, such as decision-making algorithms, liability problems, and public acceptance. The paper examines the methods of developed countries to find successful practices and regulations that can be adjusted to fit India's socio-economic and infrastructure conditions. The study also provides suggestions for updating Indian legislation with AV-specific regulations, setting up testing procedures, and forming an autonomous regulatory body for overseeing AV technologies. The paper stresses the significance of incorporating ethical factors into India's AV policies in order to guarantee safety, data protection, and public trust. Furthermore, it proposes the establishment of pilot programs and partnerships with international entities to harmonize India's regulatory framework with global norms. The results are intended to help policymakers create an all-encompassing, ethical, and flexible legal framework that encourages the safe and successful incorporation of self-driving cars in India.