Coalition of More than 65 Diverse Stakeholders Tells U.S. Senate –
Keep AV START out of FAA Bill
A broad and diverse coalition of local, state and national organizations representing safety, public health, bicyclists, pedestrians, engineers, smart growth, consumer and environmental groups, law enforcement and first responders, disability communities and families affected by motor vehicle crashes sent a letter to Senators calling on them to oppose attempts to attach the AV START Act (S. 1885) to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act (S. 1405). The AV START Act would establish driverless car policy for decades to come, but lacks even minimal safety protections for the public. Attaching it to the must-pass FAA bill would be extremely reckless, especially as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has open investigations into multiple crashes involving automated driving systems. Instead of perpetuating an artificial rush to pass this flawed bill, Congress must make nine key improvements to the bill that will ensure public safety, sufficient government oversight and adequate industry accountability. Even auto executives publicly state AVs are years away, and Automotive News Editor-in-Chief Keith Crain recently wrote “It is bad enough that automakers are testing these vehicles on public roads. To even think about manufacturing these vehicles for the public without meeting today’s standards is simply irresponsible.” We urge you to allow the NTSB to complete its expert recommendations, to oppose efforts to attach the AV START Act to the FAA bill or other “must-pass” legislation, and to insist on the adoption of the urgently-needed safety requirements in the bill. Not doing so could be catastrophic for years to come.
Click here to read the letter.
For more information, contact Eric Naing (enaing@saferoads.org; 202-408-1711 or 217-493-8294).