ADS-20-18/Rev.1
ADS: Clarification on crash causation
Source(s)
SAE
Date
5 May 2026 (Posted: 29 Apr 2026)
Status
Subject
Meeting(s)

Proposal to clarify section 6.1.2.1 regarding crash causation. During approval process, when collisions involve the ADS during the manufacturer’s real-world or confirmatory testing, a root cause analysis is required and an explanation provided. Where the ADS is determined to have played a role in causation, the manufacturer will provide evidence of how related causal factors have been addressed in the final ADS prior to approval. Post-deployment collisions are covered by the ISMR process taking into account the applicable law of the country in which the collision occurred.

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