Department Of Transportation Unveiling Plans On Regulating Driverless Cars
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Self-driving cars aren't just the future, they're the very near future. So near in fact, Tuesday morning the federal government will issue new regulations for them.
Federal officials say they see great potential in self-driving vehicles – saving drivers' money, time and lives. But they also see potential risks.
"It is much harder to impose safety on a system after it's already developed, much easier as it's begin developed," said Department of Transportation Sec. Anthony Foxx.
The Department of Transportation is now unveiling new federal policy aimed at regulating automated cars before they're allowed on the road.
It includes a 15-point safety assessment, from a vehicle's design to testing to deployment.
Federal transportation officials say they want the ability to approve new driverless technologies – and regulate post-sale software upgrades.
The safety of driverless cars has come into question in recent months, after a fatal crash involving a Tesla in autopilot mode and several crashes of Google's self-driving cars.
"By laying the markers we're laying, we're simultaneously allowing innovation to happen and introducing and raising the level of safety on these vehicles," Foxx said.
The new policy would also seek to have automakers sign and submit assessments to certify their vehicles are safe.
Drivers CBS4 spoke to say they have mixed feelings about sharing the road with self-driving cars.
"I don't like it. I don't like it at all. I don't see the reason for it," Sonia Roman said.
Rosie Gitlin said, "It's like a sci-fi movie. I would be kinda scared."
Officials said their automated car regulations would be updated annually to keep up with technological advancements.