Automated Driving Systems (AKA Autonomous Vehicles)
Late in 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a rule-making process for developing a “Framework for Automated Driving System (ADS) Safety.” As part of the process, public comments were solicited by NHTSA. In early February, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) submitted a 6-page formal letter outlining our thoughts on the development, testing, and deployment of ADS.
Building on past submissions to both Congress and the U.S. Department of Transportation, the MRF laid out important priorities that NHTSA should consider. Some of the main topics the MRF highlights include the need to account for the unique attributes and characteristics of motorcycles, cyber security concerns, liability provisions, the role of individual states, the need for public transparency, threats to the protected communication spectrum and the challenges of regulations keeping pace with this technology.
While ADS has promising potential, the devil will be in the details. How this technology is developed, tested, and deployed will impact all Americans. The MRF will continue to fight to ensure motorcyclists are included in these discussions.
To read the full letter from the MRF to NHTSA click here.