Florida Governor Signs Bill Allowing AVs Without Human Safety Drivers
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed CS/HB 311: Autonomous Vehicles into law on Thursday, claiming the state has effectively removed “unnecessary obstacles that hinder the development of autonomous vehicle technology,” including human safety operators.
Provided that a vehicle meets all insurance requirements, Florida will no longer require AVs to operate with a flesh-and-blood person behind the wheel. However, those that do remain in the driver’s seat, will also be exempt from the state’s distracted driving laws.
“Signing this legislation paves the way for Florida to continue as a national leader in transportation innovation and technological advancement,” said Governor DeSantis in a statement. “I would like to thank the bill sponsors, Senator Jeff Brandes and Representative Jason Fischer, for their work in making Florida the most autonomous vehicle-friendly state in the country.”
The bill signing took place at the new SunTrax facility in Polk County, Florida, a site devoted to the research and development of the latest transportation technologies. DeSantis and company claimed that the bill, along with SunTrax’s research, would help ensure the state can lead the charge in terms of autonomous research for the foreseeable future.
“I applaud the Governor for his continued commitment to invest in emerging transportation technologies,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault. “Autonomous vehicles are the way of the future and Florida is leading the charge through the research, testing and development of autonomous vehicles. And now with this bill signed into law by Governor DeSantis, Florida is ready to lead the nation with this innovative transportation advancement.”
Florida’s role as a no-fault insurance state could help make the process of insuring AVs a little easier, but the rules and liability issues surrounding self-driving cars are still pretty foggy. Insurers don’t have a concrete plan in place for autonomous vehicles; they’re examining the issue while federal and state governments do the same. However, with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety anticipating 3.5 million self-driving vehicles on U.S. roads by 2025, time is of the essence.
[Image: Florida Governor’s Press Office]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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All this really does not matter in the long run since autonomous vehicles will never see the light of day as a main stream technology. Let those who are jumping on the autonomous band wagon get the hype out of their system. I just hope not too many die in pursuit of this dead-end technology. I don't mind automation taking over when a driver falls asleep or is facing a medical crisis. This technology could be useful in those rare emergencies. However, a fully autonomous car just is not in the cards. If you went into a showroom and saw a vehicle without a steering wheel wouldn’t that make you just a bit nervous.
Thank God I live in the north and won't have to worry about these things for a very long time. A reason to love snow?