Driverless Cars OK'd on Michigan Roads

[WhiteTara]

http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2016-12-09/michigan-lets-autonomous-cars-on-roads-without-human-driver



DETROIT (AP) — Companies can now test self-driving cars on Michigan public roads without a driver or steering wheel under new laws that could push the state to the forefront of autonomous vehicle development.

The package of bills signed into law Friday comes with few specific state regulations and leaves many decisions up to automakers and companies like Google and Uber.

It also allows automakers and tech companies to run autonomous taxi services and permits test parades of self-driving tractor-trailers as long as humans are in each truck. And they allow the sale of self-driving vehicles to the public once they are tested and certified, according to the state.

The bills allow testing without burdensome regulations so the industry can move forward with potential life-saving technology, said Gov. Rick Snyder, who was to sign the bills. "It makes Michigan a place where particularly for the auto industry it's a good place to do work," he said.

The bills give Michigan the potential to be a leader by giving the companies more autonomy than say, California, which now requires human backup drivers in case something goes awry.

[KamaAina]

1. CA's requirement makes self-driving cars useless for people with disabilities.

[putitinD]

2. probably safer than the cars with actual drivers, Michigan drivers are the worst! everyone is

texting while driving and they are all over the road, not watching what they are doing. no regard for the people
behind them.