Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Bob Latta (R-OH) are encouraging the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to expedite autonomous delivery vehicle regulation efforts in the wake of COVID-19.
The representatives forwarded correspondence to both agencies imploring prioritization of autonomous vehicles development.
“In light of the current pandemic, it is critical NHTSA prioritize this work because contactless delivery of medicine, food, and other necessities can help decrease the spread of disease by making it easier for customers to remain safely at home while receiving affordable deliveries,” the legislators wrote. “Occupant-less autonomous vehicles are designed specifically for contactless last-mile delivery. Autonomous delivery pilot programs are already underway in several states, including delivering groceries and packages in senior citizen communities to allow our seniors to remain safely at home, COVID tests at clinics, and meals to temporary hospitals.”
The lawmakers indicated the Energy and Commerce Committee on which they serve has held five hearings on self-driving cars since November 2016, resulting in Committee and House passage of the SELF DRIVE Act in 2017.
“The current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) were not developed with occupantless vehicles in mind,” the legislators concluded. “While requirements such as seatbelts, windshields, and airbags are prudent to protect the safety of passengers, they are unnecessary for a vehicle with no human occupants…If we fail to advance this technology here at home, we risk ceding global leadership to China.”