While Advocates is hopeful that autonomous vehicles (AVs), once subject to minimum performance requirements and robust oversight, may have the potential to meaningfully reduce crash deaths and injuries, currently they are being developed and deployed in a way that is insufficient to protect those in AVs and other road users. Numerous public opinion polls show a high skepticism and fear about the technology, and for good reason. Multiple crashes have occurred in the U.S. involving cars equipped with autonomous technology that are subject to investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Advocates has proposed regulations and safeguards to protect the public. Moreover, Advocates is opposed to expanding exemptions from federal motor vehicle safety standards for AVs that will be sold to the public and tested on public roads.
Find out more about autonomous vehicle safety:
- Testimony by Advocates President Cathy Chase Submitted to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce (2/11/20)
- 2019 Public Opinion Survey on Autonomous Vehicles commissioned by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
- Statement of Advocates President Cathy Chase on U.S. DOT’s 4.0 Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Policy (1/8/19)
- Media Alert on Autonomous Vehicle Safety Capitol Hill Briefing (1/7/19)
- Testimony by Advocates President Cathy Chase Submitted to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee (11/20/19)
- Stakeholder letter to Congress in response to request for comment on autonomous vehicle legislation (11/4/19)
- Stakeholder letter to Congress in on regulating autonomous vehicles (8/23/19)
- Public Opinion Polls Show Deep Skepticism About Autonomous Vehicles
- Statement from Safety and Consumer Groups: Defective Driverless Car Legislation Fails to Advance (12/21/18)
- Advocates’ Summary of Revised AV START Act Draft (12/4/18)
- Joint Statement on AV START Act (S. 1885) (12/3/19)
- Letter From Alliance of More Than 75 Groups Asking Senate to Oppose AV START Act (S. 1885) (11/28/18)
- Advocates President Cathy Chase’s Statement on Waymo’s 10 Million Miles Driven (10/10/18)
- Advocates President Cathy Chase’s Statement on U.S. DOT AV 3.0 Guidelines (10/4/18)
- Advocates President Cathy Chase’s Testimony to Submitted to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee (9/13/18)
- Advocates President Cathy Chase’s Testimony to Submitted to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Highways and Transit Subcommittee (9/5/18)
- Over 65 Groups Ask Senate to Keep Driverless Cars out of FAA Bill (7/16/18)
- Groups Urge Senate Committee to Address AV Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities (7/10/18)
- Advocates’ Dr. Shaun Kildare Testifies Before Senate EPW Committee (6/13/18). Press release and Full Testimony
- Local, State and National Stakeholders Representing Diverse Interests Say “Pause” Driverless Car Bill Until Crash Investigations are Complete (5/4/18)