Mexican Media Brands
NHTSA: Self-Driving Cars Should Be Twice as Safe
When the first self-driving cars hit the road, they should be at least twice as safe as vehicles driven by humans, declares Mark Rosekind, head of the U.S.
#regulations
Share
When the first self-driving cars hit the road, they should be at least twice as safe as vehicles driven by humans, declares Mark Rosekind, head of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
A twofold improvement is needed to make autonomous driving systems worth the effort, he says. But the potential of the technology is far greater: NHTSA has estimated more than 90% of highway fatalities are the result of human errors, most of which it says could be eliminated by computer-controlled vehicles.
Rosekind made the challenge at the TU-Automotive Conference in suburban Detroit on Wednesday. He notes that traffic fatalities in the U.S. last year rose 17% to an “unacceptable” 38,300, ending years of decline.
NHTSA plans in July to announce guidelines for autonomous vehicles, including a suggested framework for state-level regulations that would enable the interstate use of automatic vehicles. The guidelines will include rules for testing autonomous cars on public roadways. Rosekind’s challenge hints that the federal guidelines also may set safety performance targets.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Bill on Self-Driving Cars Stalls in Senate
Congressional efforts to make it easier to develop self-driving cars in the U.S. have stalled in the Senate despite strong bipartisan support.
-
Carmakers Ask 10 States to Help Bolster EV Sales
Carmakers are asking for more support for electric cars from states that support California’s zero-emission-vehicle goals, Automotive News reports.
-
China Targets 7 Million Annual NEV Sales by 2025
The Chinese government is targeting annual sales of electric and plug-in cars at 7 million units by 2025—nine times last year’s volume.
