These Laws Could Stop Uber and Google’s Self-Driving Cars

Self-driving cars seem to be a likely part of the next wave of technology. But that doesn’t mean that people aren’t worried about the safety of these intelligent, driver-less vehicles. In fact, four U.S. states have introduced bills that would restrict Google and Uber from using electric cars in their fleets. Here, we’ll talk about the bills and about exactly what makes these lawmakers so nervous.

Where are the bills being introduced?

The states with bills to limit Google and Uber’s self-driving cars are Illinois, Tennessee, Georgia, and Maryland.

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What Do the Bills Entail?

Lawmakers in these states modeled their bills after Michigan’s SAVE Act, the first of its kind, which only allows a fleet of self-driving cars onto the road if they are owned by an automaker. Tennessee’s bill echoes Michigan’s, saying that only motor vehicle manufacturers can drive on the road and only if the manufacturer ensures that these cars are safe.

However, these four states’ bills have gone a step further than Michigan. Michigan’s bill was revised to allow companies like Google and Uber to launch their self-driving car fleets if they worked with an automaker or got the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to approve their designs. The four newly-introduced bills don’t even allow these companies to take this route to approval.

Why Do These Stipulations Mean for Uber and Google?

These companies are developing self-driving car technology, but they’re not manufacturing the cars themselves. That means that their cars will not be covered under the “vehicle manufacturers” language in the proposed bills.

Why Are These States So Critical of Google and Uber?

According to some sources, General Motors was behind these rules. GM denied involvement, but they do say they support the lawmakers’ bills.

Who Opposes These Bills?

The Self-Driving Coalition for Safer Streets, which represents Uber, Lyft, Volvo, and Ford, suggests that instead of limiting self-driving cars in the way these states do, states should focus on creating laws that ensure safe testing of driverless vehicles.

Are you skeptical about the number of self-driving cars that should be on the road? What would make you feel more secure about this new technology? Let us know in the comments.