California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill aimed at requiring human drivers in self-driving trucks. Union leaders and truck drivers argue that the measure would have preserved hundreds of thousands of jobs in the state’s trucking industry.
The legislation, which was vetoed on September 22, would have prohibited self-driving trucks weighing over 10,000 pounds from operating on public roads without a human driver present. This would have covered a wide range of vehicles, from UPS delivery vans to massive big rigs.
Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, leader of the California Labor Federation, condemns the veto by Governor Newsom and raises alarming concerns about the dangers posed by driverless trucks. She warns that the removal of drivers could result in a substantial loss of a quarter million jobs in the state.
“We will not sit by as bureaucrats side with tech companies, trading our safety and jobs for increased corporate profits. We will continue to fight to make sure that robots do not replace human drivers and that technology is not used to destroy good jobs,” Fletcher said in a statement late Friday.
Newsom cited a 2012 law that permits the collaboration between the state Department of Motor Vehicles, the California Highway Patrol, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and other experts to establish the necessary regulations for the safe use of autonomous vehicles on public roads.
Critics of the legislation contended that self-driving cars currently on the roads have not contributed to a significant number of accidents, especially when compared to human-driven vehicles. Supporters argue that self-driving trucks would enhance transportation efficiency for businesses.
Both union leaders and drivers expressed that the bill would have addressed safety concerns and potential job loss in the truck driving industry due to automation.
The bill effortlessly passed through the Legislature, with only a handful of lawmakers opposing it, and has sparked ongoing discussions about the potential risks associated with autonomous vehicles and the impact on the workforce as companies increasingly rely on technology to replace human labor.
Surprisingly, Governor Newsom, who typically receives strong support from labor unions, faced pressure from within his own administration to veto the bill. The Office of Business and Economic Development warned that this legislation could prompt companies developing self-driving technology to relocate out of state.
This veto comes at a time when the debate surrounding the future of autonomous vehicles is intensifying. Just last month, two robotaxi companies were granted permission by state regulators to operate in San Francisco around the clock.
Additionally, last week in Sacramento, Calif., hundreds of truck drivers, union leaders, and bill supporters gathered at the state Capitol to rally for the bill. Lining the streets in front of the Capitol, semi-trucks echoed their demands with chants of, “Sign that bill.” California is home to approximately 200,000 commercial truck drivers, according to Teamsters officials.
Source: The Trucker
