Ministry of Public Security: Current 'Smart Driving' Systems Do Not Have Autonomous Driving Capabilities

On July 23, during a press conference held by the State Council Information Office regarding the 'high-quality completion of the 14th Five-Year Plan', Wang Qiang, director of the Traffic Management Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security, stated that the 'smart driving' systems installed in cars currently sold in the market do not possess autonomous driving capabilities. They remain at the level of assisted driving, requiring human control. The driver remains the ultimate responsible party. Wang emphasized that if a driver engages in unsafe behaviors, such as taking their hands off the wheel or looking at their phone instead of the road, they face significant traffic safety risks and potential legal consequences for civil compensation, administrative penalties, and criminal accountability. This commentary highlights that current 'smart driving' technologies are still limited to assistance, and the responsibility for safety lies solely with the driver, requiring a return to rational industry promotion.