Over the weekend, a news story came out regarding one of the worst self-driving car accidents we’ve seen so far. An Uber self-driving vehicle in Arizona was struck by another vehicle and flipped onto its side. As is typical in cases like this, it was the driver of the other vehicle, not the self-driving car, who was at fault.
As more and more companies throw their hats into the self-driving car ring, states are having to adapt to this new technology by changing the laws. How are states around the country adapting to self-driving vehicles?
STATE BY STATE, THE REACTIONS TO AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES
In 2016, 20 states considered new legislation governing autonomous cars. That number is up from six in 2012. Thirteen states already have rules and regulations regarding the research and testing of self-driving cars on public roadways (Tennessee included). This year, 27 states have brought bills up for consideration to cover the new technology.
In Tennessee, legislation has been proposed that would authorize driverless vehicles without drivers behind the wheel. This includes large trucks. Under HB1131/SB1072, drivers in Tennessee would be required to notify the Department of Safety about any accidents that the law requires reported. Another bill, HB381/SB151, dictates which kinds of companies that would be allowed to perform self-driving tests in Tennessee and would not allow the operation of autonomous vehicles without drivers.
Psalm 94:19, “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”