The California State Assembly has approved a new law called California Assembly Bill 316. This legislation mandates that autonomous vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds must have a qualified human operator onboard. The bill passed in the Assembly and will now be reviewed by the State Senate.
Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association Executive Director Jeff Farrah called the bill “a preemptive technology ban that will put California even further behind other states and lock in the devastating safety status quo on California’s roads, which saw more than 4,400 people die last year,” adding “AB 316 undermines California’s law enforcement and safety officials as they seek to regulate and conduct oversight over life-saving autonomous trucks. We encourage Governor Newsom and the State Senate to reject AB 316 so Californians will benefit from the safety and supply chain benefits of autonomous trucks.”
Over 55 business organizations and companies involved in AV trucks have come together to oppose AB 316, signing a letter that includes signatures from noteworthy figures such as the CalChamber and US Xpress.
The intended autonomous vehicle regulatory framework by the California DMV, which allows the operation of self-driving vehicles over 10,000 pounds without legislative consent, coincides with the passing of AB 316 by the Assembly.
The bill, introduced by bipartisan authors Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Laura Friedman, Tom Lackey, and Ash Kalra, has created a stir in the industry.
“I am thrilled that over 60 of my Assembly colleagues supported AB 316 on the floor today. This joint effort with the Teamsters and Labor Federation will slow the profit-motivated drive to human-less trucking by putting the Legislature between venture capital, well-paid jobs and public safety,” said Aguiar-Curry. “We will continue to fight to protect our expert trucking workforce. We will continue to fight to protect the traveling public. The road ahead will not be easy and we’ll need every working Californian to join the fight to have this bill become law this year.”
The bill also has strong support outside the state capital, especially among the members of the Teamsters union.
“California highways are an unpredictable place, but as a Teamster truck driver of 13 years, I’m trained to expect the unexpected. I know how to look out for people texting while driving, potholes in the middle of the road, and folks on the side of the highway with a flat tire. We can’t trust new technology to pick up on those things,” said Fernando Reyes, a commercial driver and Teamsters Local 350 member. “My truck weighs well over 10,000 pounds. The thought of it barreling down the highway with no driver behind the wheel is a terrifying thought, and it isn’t safe. AB 316 is the only way forward for California.”
A recent study conducted in March 2023 by the American Automobile Association (AAA) revealed that almost 70% of Americans are now hesitant about the idea of fully self-driving cars. This is a significant increase from previous years. In April 2023, over 70% of Texas residents also shared concerns about sharing the road with driverless trucks and tractor-trailers.
Even though California has over half-a-dozen companies developing autonomous technologies, it is not among the 22 states where testing of driverless vehicles is permitted on roads with a gross weight exceeding 10,000 pounds. The state’s regulations have currently put California on the sidelines while autonomous companies are partnering with freight-haulers and overcoming safety challenges to achieve commercial success.
Source: CCJDigital
