Ahead of the curve? California legislators steering a discussion about driverless cars

As technology continues to advance, governments have often been rushed to keep up. From backtracking on laws, to pushing new ones through to account for changing gadgets, states across the country are having to adjust and find ways to deal with ever-changing modern technology.

Right now, law makers are having to deal with people texting and driving, and the use of social media for illegal activities. With one looming advancement in car tech, however, California legislators are poised to break records by enacting new laws before the technology itself exists.

The electronics in question? Computer-piloted cars. Rather than letting inventors and owners take the rap for inattentive driving, the state’s looking to lock in laws before these techy cars even hit the road. The rule-makers are considering the potential for damage (and mass confusion), and say they’re just taking the necessary steps in the right direction.

Opponents say the state’s rushing the process by voting on issues that have yet to arise. But the proverbial ‘wheels of justice’ can be slow to turn, so it’s possible that the length of time it would take to enact new laws could put legislators on a similar release timeline with the new tech.