Attorney and Safety Expert Amy Witherite Urges Texas Legislature to Safeguard Drivers from Unregulated Autonomous Vehicles

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Attorney Amy Witherite, a traffic safety expert whose firm specializes in motor vehicle accidents, is urging Texas lawmakers to prioritize public safety as autonomous 18-wheelers prepare to hit state highways in 2025. “With Texas legislature convening in January, there is an opportunity to ensure these autonomous vehicles are thoroughly regulated and held to the highest safety standards,” said traffic safety expert Amy Witherite, founder of the Witherite Law Group.

Rare bipartisan support seems to be emerging for new regulations on autonomous vehicles. Texas Senator Robert Nichols (R) advocated for new rules during discussions about the future of driverless vehicles. Senator Sarah Eckhardt (D) has expressed concerns about whether public safety agencies are prepared to deal with driverless vehicles. Experts estimate up to 17 companies are currently testing self-driving vehicles in Texas.

“Few products with such potential for danger are allowed to operate with so little oversight,” said Witherite. “Currently, neither Texas nor the federal government has established clear safety standards for testing, performance, or the sensors and software these vehicles rely on to navigate the complex and varied conditions of Texas highways.”

In December, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed only a voluntary framework for the evaluation and oversight of certain vehicles equipped with automated driving systems.

California has been proactive with new regulations that require continuous monitoring of every autonomous vehicle on the road and a remote human operator to immobilize a vehicle if necessary. The law also allows law enforcement to issue notices of noncompliance when autonomous vehicles violate local traffic ordinances. Additionally, it mandates that manufacturers testing autonomous vehicles on state roads maintain $5 million in insurance coverage.

“Each state requires drivers of commercial vehicles to pass a test to prove they are capable of safely operating a large vehicle and that they understand safety regulations and the rules of the road,” said Witherite. “Yet autonomous vehicles are going to take to our highways without any government testing to see if they can meet that same standard.

“Recently some companies who plan to put these trucks on the road asked for an exemption from one of the most basic safety regulations involving the requirements a truck driver put out flares or reflective signs when a truck is stopped on a highway or shoulder of a road,” said Witherite. “In an autonomous vehicle, there is no one to take this basic and important safety precaution, and the proposal was rejected by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration because there is no evidence the alternative, just flashing lights on the truck cab, would be as effective.

“It is fair to ask whether this was an attempt to cut corners when it comes to safety,” said Witherite. “It should be a warning that regulations are safer than promises when it comes to our safety.”

The Witherite Law Group specializes in vehicle accident cases and offers crucial support for individuals involved in accidents with driverless vehicles. For more information visit their website. www.witheritelaw.com.