US Government Green-Lights Self-Driving Cars: A Major Step Towards a New Era of Transportation

What do esteemed brands such as Uber, Ford, Volvo, and BMW have in common? They’ve all announced substantial plans for the application of self-driving cars or have begun executing their plans in practical ways. Just last week, Uber pioneered the movement by releasing its first fleet of self-driving vehicles onto the bustling streets of Pittsburgh. This groundbreaking move has sparked a diverse array of reactions, yet one thing is crystal clear: autonomous driving is no longer confined to science fiction movies or academic research papers – it has become a tangible reality that seems poised to revolutionize our travel experience.

However, before the industry could forge ahead, it was necessary to secure the approval of the government, which closely monitors and regulates all road activities. Mirroring its response to similar groundbreaking technologies in the past, the US government appeared to be the first to give the green light for this progressive venture. Evidently, plans are already in motion to establish regulations for autonomous vehicles on public roads. This mirrors past responses to technological advances, such as when commercial drones began intersecting with commercial flights, prompting the American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement a series of drone-related laws – for instance, the requirement for drones to fly at specific altitudes and to avoid areas designated for commercial and military flights.

Yesterday was a significant milestone in this unfolding saga. The Obama administration announced that it was exploring procedures to review and approve the technology behind self-driving cars before allowing their widespread commercial use. President Barack Obama outlined these sentiments in an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, stating, “Right now, too many people die on our roads – 35,200 last year alone – with 94 percent… resulting from either human error or choice. Automated vehicles have the potential to save tens of thousands of lives each year… They could transform the lives of senior citizens and Americans with disabilities for whom driving isn’t currently an option.”

The President optimistically highlighted the prospect of safer and more accessible driving, alongside less congested and less polluted roads, underlining the astonishing potential of the upcoming self-driving era. Yet, he stressed the importance of ensuring these reformations occur without compromising safety, emphasizing that “Americans deserve to know they’ll be safe today even as we develop and deploy the technologies of tomorrow.”

To help facilitate this major transition, Obama`s administration is introducing regulations for self-driving vehicles. Manufacturers are expected to comply with these standards to ensure safety, and their compliance will be assessed via a 15-point safety checklist. The President also urged state governments to support and follow these regulations, avoiding any potential legislative hurdles that could obstruct the flourishing of this innovative technology in the United States.

These announcements have provoked diverse reactions across the country. Preempting these upcoming regulations, Silicon Valley-influenced states like California have chosen to suspend any decisions about the technology. Others, like Michigan, the birthplace of brands like Ford, have shown enthusiastic support by proactively introducing legislation to welcome self-driving technology, even suggesting the removal of requirements for a licensed driver to be present in self-driving cars during tests.

In response to the groundbreaking measures taken by the US Transport Secretary, Anthony Foxx, major players in the industry, including Google, Uber, and Lyft, expressed their approval via a trade association. Lyft, for its part, has set its sights on 2021 for the launch of its own self-driving scheme, making it evident that the era of self-driving cars is more than just around the corner – it has arrived.