A recent bill proposed by New York State Senator Pete Harckham aims to enforce the requirement of a human operator in self-driving semis on public roadways across the state. Introduced on January 5, 2024, the legislation (S.7758) mandates the inclusion of a qualified human operator in any autonomous vehicle weighing 10,000 pounds or more.
Harckham emphasized the importance of prioritizing public safety and job security when considering technological advancements like autonomous vehicles. The bill’s objective is simple: to ensure that autonomous vehicles operating in New York State have a licensed driver present. This measure, according to Harckham, will not only provide greater protection for individuals and property but also secure employment for over 270,000 New Yorkers.
The Teamsters, a prominent labor union, strongly supports the bill, citing its potential to safeguard jobs and enhance road safety in New York. Louis A. Picani, president and principal officer of Teamsters Local 456, highlighted the risk posed by unmanned trucks, referring to them as “lethal weapons.” Picani emphasized that the bill’s enforcement is crucial to protect the livelihood of affected individuals and ensure the safety of all road users, including pedestrians and tourists.
In addition to job security concerns, supporters of the bill also highlight potential cyber threats associated with autonomous vehicles. Allowing self-driving semis without human operators could potentially expose them to cyber-attacks, creating immediate risks for those sharing the roads. Picani stressed that human operators significantly mitigate the chances of such harmful errors, making prevention easier.
Similarly, Indiana has recently introduced legislation that prohibits the use of driverless trucks. Last year, California also attempted to pass a driverless truck ban bill, but it was vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom, despite support from highway safety groups and the Teamsters.
By prioritizing public safety and employment security, New York’s proposed bill sets forth measures to ensure responsible deployment of autonomous vehicles in the trucking industry, ultimately benefiting both residents and the economy.
The source of the article is from the blog kewauneecomet.com