Gashi Automobile News According to Reuters, on August 30 local time, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issued draft regulations for autonomous vehicles to operate on highways, paving the way for autonomous trucks to start long-distance transportation.
, Image source: Waabi, reports that the DMV is planning a regulatory framework that will require light and heavy autonomous trucks to be equipped with safe drivers early in operations and will receive written feedback on the draft by October 14.
If approved, the regulations could be a huge victory for autonomous trucking startups, but they could also threaten trucking jobs.
, Self-driving trucks have had some success in transporting goods along pre-planned routes.
Currently, companies such as Waabi are already operating autonomous trucks equipped with safety drivers on planned roads to transport cargo for Uber between Dallas and Houston, Texas.
There are mixed reviews and criticisms from all walks of life about the above draft regulations.
Teamsters, the truck drivers union, condemned the regulations, saying they threatened jobs and public safety.
Teamsters Chairman Sean O’Brien said,”These regulations are an insult to California workers who are already worried about losing their jobs because of automation.
” However, the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association welcomed the draft regulation, saying it was “an important step in California’s road safety and flexible supply chains.
” Just a day before the draft was released, the California Legislature passed two autonomous vehicle safety bills that require driverless trucks to be equipped with safe drivers and require autonomous vehicle manufacturers to report all vehicle collisions, traffic violations, etc.
If these bills are to become formal law, they need to be signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
, Currently, autonomous driving technology is facing strict review from safety regulators.
Self-driving car companies such as Waymo, a unit of Google’s parent company Alphabet, and Cruise, a unit of General Motors, have had disagreements with regulators over accidents involving self-driving cars.
Earlier this year, a Waymo car hit a cyclist at an intersection, and last year a Cruise car had a serious accident in San Francisco.
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