What’s the rush to push through the AV START Act?

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) could revolutionize highway safety, but the technology has been involved in at least three crash deaths, and numerous auto executives admit they’re years away from being ready.

This should give tremendous pause to the Senate. Instead of rushing the AV START Act (S. 1885), senators should await the National Transportation Safety Board’s reports on the recent crashes. Moreover, the bill lacks safeguards like a vision test to ensure AVs can see and respond to road users and conditions, as well as electronics and cybersecurity standards.

Public safety should be prioritized over an artificial rush to enact legislation.

– Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety