27 organizations, including MoBikeFed, urge Senate's Mitch McConnell, Charles Schumer to fix autonomous car bill, ensure safety of cyclists & pedestrians | AutoNews

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A diverse group of public interest organizations is urging Senate leaders to not advance legislation loosening restrictions on the development and deployment of self-driving vehicles until self-described safety flaws are corrected.

In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic leader Charles Schumer, the coalition said automotive and technology companies have misled the public about how soon automated vehicles will be widely available and how regulation is an impediment to innovation in the global race to harness mobility solutions with the potential to reduce traffic fatalities, congestion and air pollution.

"Baseless and exaggerated predictions about the readiness and reliability of driverless car technology are propelling legislation that significantly strips the current federal regulatory system of its appropriate authority and oversight thereby endangering the safety of everyone -- both motorists and non-motorists," said the 27 signatories, representing public health and safety, bicyclists, pedestrians, consumers, disability communities, law enforcement, environmentalists, first responders, smart-growth advocates and crash victims' families.

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27 organizations, including MoBikeFed, urge Senate's Mitch McConnell, Charles Schumer to fix autonomous car bill, ensure safety of cyclists & pedestrians | AutoNews

MoBikeFed comment: The Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation was one of the 27 signatories of this letter, which has set off a public debate about the safety of autonomous vehicles for people who walk and bicycle.

We are devoted to ensuring the safety of these new vehicles for people who walk and bicycle before they are rolled out onto our public streets.

More information at http://mobikefed.org/2018/03/self-driving-car-systems-must-ensure-safety...