Global Automakers praise autonomous vehicle bill

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John Bozzella, president and CEO of the Association of Global Automakers, praised the recent introduction of the American Vision for Safer Transportation Through Advancement of Revolutionary Technologies (AV START) Act.

The association represents the U.S. operations of foreign automakers as well as original equipment suppliers and related automotive industries.

The legislation was introduced by Sen. John Thune
(R-SD), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Gary Peters (D-MI). The act would require the Department of Transportation to bear responsibility for automated vehicle design, construction, and performance and would require manufacturers submit safety evaluation reports to the department.

The act also addresses cybersecurity, modernizes existing federal motor vehicle safety standards, and maintains DOT authority for automated vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds.

“The remaining frontier in the area of auto safety will be crossed with automated vehicles and systems which can mitigate the 90 percent of auto fatalities attributable to driver impairment and error,” Bozzella said. “We commend chairman Thune and Sen. Peters for their bipartisan leadership in creating a clear national pathway to bring the safety benefits of automated vehicles to the American public. Global Automakers looks forward to working with Congress to enact legislation to spur innovation and save lives.”