California Governor Signs Bill Allowing Self-Driving Cars To Hit The Road

by Staff Blogger | October 1st, 2012

October 1, 2012 Advancements in technology have been making vehicles safer to drive for years, but could the newest advancement in driving technology be not driving at all? Google seems to think so and have started testing their self-driving cars on California roads. According to the Los Angeles Times, California Governor Jerry Brown has signed State Bill 1298 into law, which created guidelines that says the testing will:
  • Create safety and performance standards for self-driving vehicles
  • Require autonomous vehicles to meet all standards of manually operated vehicles
  • Require licensed drivers to be at the wheels of the automated vehicles
  • Establish the right of the California Highway Patrol and Department of Motor Vehicles to recommend additional legislation
Google says the vehicles will use a combination of radar, cameras, and lasers in conjunction with data transmitted via wireless connections from the vehicle to other vehicles to maneuver. Experts believe these vehicles will not only improve the efficiency of travel, but also make it safer. Senator Alex Padilla, who sponsored the bill, stated most California car accidents today are caused by human errors and the new technology can curb the instances of injury and fatality due to motor vehicle collisions on California roads. He added the new vehicles are expected to reduce fuel emissions in the state. The California Personal Injury Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers are hopeful the new technology will improve safety on the state’s highways.