Contact: Shane Austin
saustin@saferoads.org
202.425.2776
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Updated Statement by Cathy Chase, President of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates), Opposing Any Efforts to Hamper State Actions to Ensure Safe Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
(Washington, D.C. | November 20, 2025) Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) opposes all efforts to preempt state actions on artificial intelligence (AI). State actions on AI, which include issuing and maintaining protections for autonomous vehicle (AV) operations, should not be undermined, especially in the absence of federal laws or rules. While Advocates supports the deployment of technology verified by independent research to prevent crashes and reduce deaths and injuries, AI on our Nation’s transportation system without proper safeguards, transparency, accountability and regulations could be risky at best and deadly at worse.
There are no minimum federal safety standards to ensure the performance of automated driving systems (ADS), as are used in AVs and partially automated features, as they operate on public roads among the traveling public. Successive polls commissioned by Advocates (here and here) found that the public is understandably concerned about sharing the road with driverless cars and trucks. Also, a 2025 AAA survey noted that “Fear in self-driving vehicles persists,” according to a majority of drivers.
Motor vehicle deaths remain historically high and state safety laws are essential. On average, 112 people were killed every day on roads in the U.S., totaling 40,901 fatalities in 2023. This is a 24 percent increase in deaths in just a decade. An additional 2.44 million people were injured. Putting unregulated, unproven AI/AVs on our roadways and limiting states’ responses to their operations will compound this public health problem.
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About Advocates
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is an alliance of consumer, medical, public health, law enforcement and safety groups and insurance companies and agents working together to make America’s roads safer. Advocates’ mission is the adoption of federal and state laws, policies and programs that prevent motor vehicle crashes, save lives, reduce injuries, and contain costs.