Comments update: readers have been hotly contesting the safety of autonomous vehicles this week after the first death caused by a self-driving car was reported.

Death trap" The driver of an electric Tesla car was killed in a road collision after its Autopilot mode failed to recognise an oncoming lorry. The tragic incident comes at a time when regulators across the world are considering how to safely introduce autonomous technology on public roads.
"Human guinea pigs," wrote Kay. "We come up with half-baked brilliant ideas with good potential, pay and lobby our way into making it a reality, then watch the horror show unfold."
"Driverless cars will always pose a risk," added Buck. "They should direct driverless car studies towards accident prevention. It shouldn't just be an option that you can switch on if you are drunk or don't feel like driving." Others held a different view, calling for the technology to be embraced despite the setback.
"As unfortunate as this is, I think [everyone] should keep in mind that on the day you are reading this 117 people in America died in car-related accidents," said a commenter calling themselves Camden Greenlee. "Tomorrow, another 117 people will die, and the same the next day. Let's not let the best be the enemy of the good."
"The technology will advance far more than what is currently expected ? as it always has," proffered JK. "Progress will eliminate de...