Human Operator Requirement in Autonomous Vehicles
Out-of-state corporations are testing driverless semi-trucks on New Mexico highways with virtually no restrictions and no safety oversight by the state. Driverless vehicles use unproven technology that jeopardizes the safety of the traveling public. Driverless semis could cause massive harm while taking away well-paying jobs from safety-minded New Mexico truck drivers.
Current New Mexico law allows corporations to test and operate driverless vehicles on any public road under any conditions with no safety oversight, no accountability, and no transparency. New Mexico law falls short.
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No backup driver is required.
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Safety data is hidden from public
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No permit required
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No preliminary testing required
We need House Bill 148!
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State permits to test only if the company has an adequate safety plan
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Qualified human backup drivers are required for 10 years, making testing safer and allowing time to plan for job replacement
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Protections for work zones, school zones, etc.
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Compliance with traffic laws required
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Driverless developers must disclose safety data so the state can make informed decisions
The Dangers and Unknowns
Unproven technology: Driverless vehicles have not been sufficiently tested to show they are safer than humans.
Increased risks: Driverless vehicles are more likely than humans to crash in work zones
and other situations.
Known crashes: Failures of self-driving technology have caused deadly crashes.
Job security: Driverless semis would take well-paying jobs from New Mexico truck drivers
with no replacement plan.