Assemblyman Sepulveda opposes initial lack of drivers in driverless cars

With Technology Still New, Proposed Legislation by Assemblyman Sepulveda  Would Require Drivers in Driverless Cars for Safety Reasons

                       

"Do we want innocent people - both passengers and pedestrians - to become the crash test dummies for this new technology?"

   A state Assemblyman is warning that a congressional push to pave the way for driverless vehicles could be a formula for death and injury.

 Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda said that he is concerned over initial safety issues with the new technology.

  He has introduced a bill in Albany (A8590) that would require an adult, at least age 18 or a licensed driver, in such vehicles for safety and emergency reasons.

 A Senate panel on Wednesday, Oct. 4, approved bipartisan legislation to pave the way for driverless cars, avoiding the requirement of an adult driver in such vehicles.

 Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) offered, and withdrew, an amendment that would have required a driver behind the wheel of autonomous vehicles, even for the highest levels of automation.

 But Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.), who authored the measure, was quoted as saying “The headline tomorrow would read, ‘Senate mandates drivers in driverless cars.’”

 Both the Senate and House have nearly similar bills which once finally voted, would become the nation's first driverless vehicle laws.

 Sepulveda noted that consumer safety advocates are worried that the bill’s exemption language would allow manufacturers to rush these vehicles to market before the technology is fully assured for safety. He added that they also fear some manufacturers might cut back on safety devices such as air bags.

 The Bronx Assemblyman's proposed legislation, now referred to the Assembly Transportation Committee, notes that "Currently, all of the driver assistance systems which are in use today operate only for short times and in extremely limited settings. Auto-parking operates for a few seconds with the driver watching. Emergency braking kicks in at the last moment before an inevitable crash. Lane warning comes on briefly when a car veers out of its lane.

"However, once the car drives itself continuously for minutes or hours, gradual evolution is impossible. Once a car is engaged on the road for autonomous driving there is no margin for error: no room for gradual improvement, learning by doing or evolution. It needs to be able to cope with all driving situations and crisis situations that may arise on the spot."

 Sepulveda noted that the legislation would be reviewed periodically as the technology advances until it may no longer be needed. But that may take a while.

 "Do we want innocent people - both passengers and pedestrians - to become crash test dummies for this new technology? I certainly hope not," said the Assemblyman. "Let's just take a breath here, and think safety along with progress."

               

Assemblyman Sepulveda represents the 87th Assembly District in the Bronx covering Parkchester, Castle Hill, West Farms, Van Nest and Stratton Park.