The state agency is planning a framework which would initially
require safety drivers for both light- and heavy-duty
operations.
The DMV is accepting written feedback on the language of the
draft until Oct. 14.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
The draft regulations come at a time when autonomous driving
technology faces heightened levels of scrutiny from safety
regulators over multiple cases of crashes and accidents
involving the technology.
If approved, the regulations could be a huge win for autonomous
trucking startups which are betting on the technology to grow
and advance and would also threaten trucking jobs.
CONTEXT
Self-driving cars from the likes of Alphabet's Waymo and General
Motors' Cruise have had run ins with regulators over incidents
involving their autonomous vehicles.
A Waymo car had struck a cyclist at a city intersection earlier
this year, while a Cruise vehicle was involved in a serious
accident last year in San Francisco which led to the company
removing nearly a thousand cars from roads.
Autonomous trucks have been seeing some success with deploying
big rigs along pre-planned routes to deliver goods. Firms like
Waabi operate autonomous trucks with safety drivers on planned
commercial lanes, hauling freight cargo for Uber between Dallas
and Houston in Texas.
THE RESPONSE
Reactions to the draft regulations have been mixed. The
Teamsters union condemned the rules, saying they threaten jobs
and public safety.
"The regulations are an insult to California workers who already
fear losing their jobs to automation," Teamsters General
President Sean O'Brien said.
The Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association on the other hand
welcomed the draft order, saying it is "an important step for
the future of roadway safety and supply chain resiliency in
California."
The draft comes a day after two autonomous vehicle safety bills
were passed by the California Assembly. The bills require human
operators in driver-less trucks, and mandate autonomous vehicle
manufacturers to report any vehicle collisions, traffic
violations among others.
California Governor Gavin Newsom will have to sign the bills in
order for them to become law.
(Reporting by Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju
Samuel)
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