House committee approves self-driving vehicle legislation, refines safety exemptions

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has approved the Safely Ensuring Lives Future Deployment and Research in Vehicle Evolution Act (H.R. 3388), also known as the “SELF DRIVE Act.”    The first legislation in the United States that would govern the testing, manufacturing and deployment of self-driving vehicles has been unanimously passed by a House of Representatives committee.
   The Energy and Commerce Committee on July 27 approved the Safely Ensuring Lives Future Deployment and Research in Vehicle Evolution Act (H.R. 3388), also known as the “SELF DRIVE Act,” legislation aimed at regulating emerging automated vehicle technologies.
   Legislators say the bill, which passed the committee by a bipartisan vote of 54-0, advances safety by:
     • Updating the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) to account for advances in technology and evolution of highly automated vehicles (HAVs);
     • Maximizing opportunities for research and development here in the U.S. to create jobs and grow economic opportunities so that that the U.S can remain a global leader in the industry.
     • Prioritizing the protection of consumers;
     • And re-affirming the roles and responsibilities of federal and state governments.
   More specifically, the bill requires the National Highway Traffic Administration to mandate that automakers provide safety assessment certifications within two years; and also directs the Department of Transportation to review whether to update safety standards for headlamps and develop a rule within two years for all new passenger vehicles to include a rear-seat occupant alert system to prevent young children being forgotten in car seats.
   HR 3388 also would require automakers to develop plans for protecting consumers’ data privacy since autonomous vehicles will collect and transmit massive amounts of data to facilitate safe operation and offer entertainment options for occupants.
   “I truly believe the bipartisan bill-drafting process for self-driving legislation is an example of our committee at its best – working together to pursue the common goal of saving lives,” Committee Chair Greg Walden, R-Ore., said after the vote. “Our aim was to develop a regulatory structure that allows for industry to safely innovate with significant government oversight – as safety must be the chief priority. And I believe today’s legislation strikes that critical balance.”