AutoInformed

The Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce will look at autonomous vehicle regulations during a 26 July hearing called “Self-Driving Vehicle Legislative Framework: Enhancing Safety, Improving Lives and Mobility, and Beating China.” Previous versions of the Bill were sponsored by Republicans but went nowhere. This time the subcommittee will consider separate draft legislation from Representative Bob Latta, a Republican from Ohio, and Representative Debbie Dingell, a Democrat from Michigan. NHTSA is also in the process of looking at self-driving vehicle regulations.* 

The Center for Auto Safety says one of the proposals, the SELF DRIVE Act, “neglects to include any consumer protections that prevent the use of binding arbitration clauses in contracts involving autonomous vehicles.” As is common in Washington the legislation is misleadingly named. However, there is a need to explore the issue as there are arguments on many aspects of technology and systems that can save lives and reduce traffic congestion even though AutoInformed remains skeptical about the ability of politicians to do so with a regard for We the People as opposed to We the Congress who are paid large sums by corporate interests. Continue reading →