Science And Tran Committee on Commerce

Hands Off Science And Tran Committee on Commerce

Since the automobile first rolled off the assembly line in River Rouge, Michigan, cars in America have offered independence, mobility, and adventure. Now, profound changes are coming to our roads. Technological advancements are progressing at a rapid pace and fully self-driving cars will be here sooner than we think. We are facing an opportunity to expand the options for transportation by car while also making it smarter and safer. Technological challenges remain, but perhaps the greatest hurdle to the deployment of these vehicles may be a regulatory environment, a patchwork of state and Federal laws unable to keep pace with these evolving technologies. Everything from driver assist functions like lane departure warnings to completely autonomous vehicles will transform transportation and mobility, profoundly affecting safety issues that have confronted society since the invention of the car. In 2014, 32,675 Americans lost their lives due to car accidents. More than 90 percent of these tragedies are linked to human error, driver choices, intoxication, and distraction. Automated vehicles have the potential to reduce that number dramatically. Unlike human drivers, automated vehicles don't get tired, drunk, or distracted. In addition to helping reduce accidents on American roads, autonomous vehicles promise to improve the quality of life for older Americans and members of the disabled community.