The original trolley problem of "should you let 5 people die or actively kill 1 to save the 5" has genuine philosophical merit, these however are just so contrived they can't possibly offer any meaningful insight while at the same time planting the seed in the general public that this is the type of problem a self driving car should care about which could cause all kinds of wacky regulations to exist.

To me that problem had a simple answer: active harm is worse than negligence. To kill someone is a worse action that to let someone die, regardless of the numbers of people involved.

I personally agree with you, however is is extremely important to realize that most of our society does not agree at all, and that that data is hugely relevant.

Agreed.