States Approve Autonomous Vehicle Trials

In Texas, the bill by Sen. Kelly Hancock was approved, and will allow manufacturers to test autonomous vehicles on Texas roads, while they would still need to follow all federal and state safety regulations and carry the standard liability insurance for motorists. 

The systems operating the cars when they are in use will be considered responsible and the driver, in any cases of mishaps or even ticketing violations. Local governments will be unable to regulate the cars or charge the operators a franchise fee.

After the bill passed unanimously in the Senate, final passage of it is expected and could come before the end of the month.

In Connecticut, a bill sponsored by Sen. Carlo Leone was voted in by the Senate, and will allow four Connecticut municipalities to bid for inclusion in the pilot program. One of the slots for the program will definitely go to Stamford, the state’s third largest city, because the proposal states that one of the cities must have had a population between 120,000 and 124,000. Only Stamford meets that criterion.

The bill still needs approval from the House of Representatives before it can be fully enacted.

References:  Government Technology     Stamford Advocate