Californians have had enough self-driving cars running rough over two of their largest cities and now their legislature is doing something about it. California Senate Bill 915 could allow cities to have a say in what happens on their own streets. Quite a novel idea, huh?
Currently, there are only two regulatory bodies that can approve permits for self-driving cars in the Golden State: the California Department of Motor Vehicles and the California Public Utilities Commission. Both continue to endorse the expansion of robotics operations in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Cities and their citizens simply had to tolerate their streets being turned into science experiments for private companies. But a new bill being considered in the California Senate would end unlimited self-driving testing because KTUV explains:
California Senate Bill 915 proposes to allow cities to issue their own local permits for self-driving car companies.
Additionally, it would allow local governments to impose limits on the number of self-driving cars allowed to operate simultaneously and establish operational regulations.
In addition, cities and counties would be authorized to levy fees or service charges to fund enforcement of their local ordinances.
The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Dave Cortese of San Jose, has received support from various local transportation agencies, local Teamsters unions and U.S. Senate candidate Adam Schiff.
The bill has been in the works for some time. It was introduced by state Sen. Dave Cortez as a way around a loophole in state law shortly after California’s DMV approved Waymo’s expansion into the suburbs of San Francisco and Los Angeles, according to ABC7:
Senator Cortese aims to embrace the new wave of technology, but wants to put the brakes on current regulations – or the lack of them.
“We’ve never had a system in this country. I mean since the days of Henry Ford when you just go out and experiment on the streets with no traffic laws in place and no requirements that keep it safe,” Cortese said.
After seeing issues surrounding the safety of these autonomous vehicles in places like San Francisco and Los Angeles, Cortese introduced Senate Bill 915 to put the safety of self-driving cars in the hands of local governments, which currently lack influence.
Cortese says that once the CPUC and DMV allow cars to be on the road, there aren’t enough accountability measures like piloted vehicles.
He believes putting local governments in charge of closing this loophole is best for safety.
“City councils and county boards of supervisors meet every week,” Cortese said. “They can draft an ordinance, they can come back and fix it a month later, and they’re much more nimble than the state of California.”
While Cruise downsized its fleet after an accident in which a pedestrian was dragged under the car (the DMV actually stepped in and prohibits the company from operating in San Francisco), Waymo received approval to allow its vehicles to operate in the expanded area 24/7 in all weather conditions. This is despite some very well-covered failures at both companies.
Because friends, things are not going well for the autonomous car crowd, made up mainly of GM’s Cruise and Alphabet’s Waymo. There was injured pedestrians (and then omitted facts to mask the pain), the traffic roared of confused robot cars and even a dog recognized and ran over anyway. This has led to great concern among Californians, who have resorted to everything from disabling self-driving cars to traffic cones and fire. Right now, self-driving taxis can’t even get a ticket for their reckless behavior, because who would the policeman punish? The processor?
It’s kind of crazy that the DMV and an overzealous CPUC can force the public to put up with this kind of nonsense so that tech companies can figure out how to monetize their latest toy. The bill is finally working its way through committee, although no hearing is currently scheduled.
