Autonomous Vehicle Legislation Faces Criticism from Safety Advocates
Auto safety and consumer advocates criticize autonomous vehicle legislation
Auto safety and consumer advocates are urging Congress not to advance autonomous vehicle legislation that they believe lacks necessary safeguards and regulations to protect road users. With the high number of fatalities on the roads in 2021, advocates argue that it is crucial for leaders and policymakers to implement proven solutions to address this public health crisis, rather than relying on autonomous vehicles (AVs) without independent evidence of their safety. Critics of AVs point to incidents involving self-driving cars causing harm and putting the public at risk.
Proposed legislation faces opposition from safety groups
Two separate draft bills on AVs are being considered in Congress, but safety groups, including Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, do not support either bill in their current form. The bills aim to establish a national standard for testing and deployment of AVs and increase the cap on exemptions for vehicles without traditional controls. However, critics argue that the legislation should not erode current federal safety standards, allow for large numbers of AVs to be exempt from safety regulations, or restrict states from taking action to protect residents and visitors.
Opponents of the legislation have raised concerns about the safety of AV technology and argue that more stringent regulations and oversight are needed before widespread deployment.
Supporters emphasize the need for AV legislation to compete globally
On the other hand, industry associations, such as the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, are urging federal lawmakers to pass AV legislation to maintain the U.S.’s global competitiveness. They argue that without clear federal regulations and support for AV development and commercialization, the U.S. AV industry will struggle to achieve increased safety, accessibility, and supply chain resilience.
Lawmakers, industry experts, and former NHTSA officials have called for a federal framework to ensure the safety of AVs while addressing legal and consumer concerns. Previous attempts at legislation have stalled, but there is renewed effort to find common ground and pass comprehensive AV legislation this year.
NHTSA’s role in AV regulation and oversight
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has established the Office of Automation Safety to develop safety standards, evaluate petitions, manage exemptions, and oversee research and demonstrations for automated driving systems. NHTSA is also expected to propose a rule-making on the ADS-equipped Vehicle Safety, Transparency and Evaluation Program (AV STEP) to provide an alternative regulatory pathway for self-driving vehicles. This program could allow for a larger number of vehicles to be deployed on U.S. roads, potentially benefiting companies like General Motors.
While the debate over AV legislation continues, stakeholders are seeking a balance between promoting AV technology and ensuring the safety and accountability of these vehicles on the roads.
Pete Bigelow contributed to this report.
