US lawmakers set their sights on reviving self-driving car legislation

As self-driving technologies begin to hit the market, new laws need to be enacted to create order at a federal level. Now, self-driving vehicles are getting a boost from legislators in the House of Representatives. Two members, Robert Latta, a Republican, and Debbie Dingell, a Democrat, are taking action to help educate other members on the importance of such technology. 

Dingell said this initiative aims to find common ground as there have been many conflicting opinions in recent years regarding autonomous vehicles. The ultimate goal is to provide laws that will enable the technology to be safe additions to U.S. roadways.

Furthermore, Latta commented that this is key to staying ahead of other countries. Although this legislation may not pass until 2023, it is vital to begin the initiative and educate others. In 2017, similar legislation was proposed but never passed the Senate. 

Latta recognized that the next two years of Congress, which will begin in 2023, might not enact self-driving car laws quickly. It’s important that we get members involved from all over the country,” Latta said. “This is something that is going to affect everybody.”

With a recent spike in auto collisions, lawmakers hope self-driving technologies will make roadways safer and reduce traffic. Last month, the NHTSA noted that both Ford and General Motors filed for exemptions to deploy 2,500 self-driving vehicles onto the roadways annually. This is the maximum allowed under current laws. U.S. Senators Gary Peters and John Thune proposed to give the NHTSA power to exempt 15,000 self-driving vehicles. This number would increase to 80,000 by 2025. 

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