Federal auto safety regulators want to be more proactive in addressing self-driving cars following a Tesla crash that killed its driver while on autopilot.
US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx told reporters that the government is considering implementing more measures to ensure the safety of autonomous vehicles before they reach drivers.
The proposal comes after criticism that the government relies heavily on car makers to report potential problems. Observers also say it is a reflection of regulators’ struggle to keep up with the developments in the market.
Foxx added that the government is looking into attendant issues related to driverless cars and the formulation of a model framework that could be adopted on the state level to avoid a hodgepodge of policies.
However, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers spokeswoman Gloria Bergquist said that an approval process could delay the adoption of self-driving cars, a technology that is touted to save lives.
She said the technology is “moving quickly” and strict regulations could limit innovation.
Google parent firm Alphabet’s technical leader for the self-driving car program Chris Urmson said that determining the safety of an autonomous car is more difficult than it seems, raising questions on whether the automated system is better than having a human behind the wheel.
