On Thursday, the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) took an important step towards the safe deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs), finalizing a new rule that updates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards to account for Level 5 autonomous vehicles without manual controls. While current regulations allow for the operation of a limited number of AVs on the road with a waiver, further regulatory updates are needed from NHTSA to allow for the scaled deployment of AVs.

“If you support reducing traffic fatalities and increasing mobility for non-driving communities, then this movement is something to celebrate,” said Chamber of Progress CEO Adam Kovacevich. “Autonomous vehicles are in a position to make our roads safer and more accessible – but first we need the regulatory framework for their deployment in place.  This is a big step forward and there’s more work to do..”

Polling by Chamber of Progress shows that Democrats, and Biden voters in particular, are supportive of autonomous vehicles. During recent congressional hearings on AVs, Chamber of Progress has submitted testimony for the record highlighting the economic and social benefits AVs have to offer.

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Chamber of Progress (progresschamber.org) is a new center-left tech industry policy coalition promoting technology’s progressive future.  We work to ensure that all Americans benefit from technological leaps, and that the tech industry operates responsibly and fairly.  

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