PA Officials Want Your Input On The Future Of Self-Driving Cars
by Ian Bush
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A self-driving car could be in your future -- and nearer than you might think.
Ford, for instance, says it will mass-produce truly autonomous cars within five years.
But before you kick back with a good book while on the Schuylkill Expressway, Pennsylvania officials want your input on proposed regulations.
State Transportation Secretary Leslie Richards says the recommendations are designed to spur innovation and to tackle the problem of distracted driving -- blamed in part for nearly all 1200 fatalities on PA roads last year.
"Whether they're texting, looking at their navigation system, eating in the car, applying makeup -- it doesn't take much. Humans are naturally distracted, and this is a technology that will reduce that in big ways," she said.
Reducing the number of fatalities. Cutting time spent stuck in traffic.
"We're very excited about the potential benefits of safer travel and greater mobility," says Richards.
She says the prelude to the promise of self-driving cars must be rules for testing the vehicles, balancing innovation with safety.
"They have to submit proposals to us before they do anything. They also have to show how they record data so that can be used to investigate any issues -- any crashes that involve the automated vehicles so that we're able to track them appropriately. Also, they have to certify that cybersecurity protections are in place."
The task force behind the regulations includes university professors, and groups like AAA, Uber, automakers, and the trucking industry.
You can weigh in during an online public meeting, Monday night at 7 at penndot.gov.
