That's even MORE of a reason for the NHTSA to ask these questions. If the first-to-market autopilot system is too dangerous, that will destroy the public's trust in any future autopilot system, no matter how much of a net benefit it provides.

It's like how IUDs (birth control device) are disproportionately unpopular in the United States despite many benefits - all because of one particular brand that caused infections with horrible repercussions:

http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2012/09/why-are-iuds-...