So help me understand what the purpose of Autopilot is and why I would engage it? The more I think about actual use cases, the more it seems the entire system is in conflict with itself...
Why would I let auto-pilot take over critical systems if I need to remain attentive at all times... what is the net gain here?

I’m divided on this whole issue but in your headlight instance, if the Ford Focus was optioned with auto-headlights that turned off under a bright street light then proceeded to cause an accident then, yes, Ford might bear some ethical liability.

Right!?!
What I don’t understand is how people don’t get that it is physically impossible for pedestrians to behave irresponsibly or in any manner that may put themselves in harms way right?
Pedestrians are NEVER drunk/high/idiotic or contemplating vehicular suicide...
These are lies, all lies;
https://en.wikipedia.org/w…

The price tag keeps undermining my want to appreciate this car... is it gorgeous? Yes... Would it still park in my drive if it leaked oil? Yes...

Yep, mid-30's here still doing this too... this is ESPECIALLY FRUSTRATING when stuck behind a line of traffic in a fully capable 4WD...

Me too! You guys work at any one of thousands of large businesses across the globe that still have some clunky old system performing a critical business function somewhere in their ranks...

*sigh... because life and fun is all about being “proper” and everyone’s definition of it is the same right?

I think you need to back off with “fucking anyone”... as best I can tell, that’d fix 99% of the problem.

Yes... I’d be driving one right now were it not for the ugly face.

That’s one lucky kid right there...

Is it just a visual thing? An indicator of craftsmanship?

The problem was that drivers hated this system. A significant number of people decided that they’d literally rather be more likely to die than to have their stupid car calling the shots and telling them what they can or can’t buckle.

Bullshit - it’s cheating however you choose to dissect it.
I’m sure their marriage vows weren’t said with this in mind so she has ventured beyond those shores and made a conscious decision to cheat on LiSF...

You’re wrong... 4 door trucks are brilliant for double duty such as hauling the family + camper/toys around on the weekend and then going to work on Monday to haul whatever crap you wouldn’t want or can’t fit in an SUV.
I’m not going to say they’re not overkill for a lot of people and underutilised for their true…

I don’t think you realise your apparent defense of the arrangement here is actually highlighting it’s very weakness...

In other words, you agree it’s an error trap... you took the long route but we got you there eventually.

People just don’t pay attention, also it opens very infrequently as it’s more than 3/4 of the way up the bay.

Nope...

Torch, in the absence of more detail about how this occurred I think calling the driver at fault on this may actually a bit premature.
Frankly, it also makes you come off a bit snooty or uppity (which isn’t the general impression I get from you).

As a staunch RWD enthusiast for many years, I recently purchased a 55/45 split Subaru for icy winters and now relate EXACTLY to what you describe here;