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Today, Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection (DCCP), visited the Transportation Research Center (TRC) in East Liberty, Ohio, the largest multi-user automotive proving ground in North America. The DCCP Subcommittee has jurisdiction over National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and Latta has already chaired three hearings on self-driving cars and automotive technology this year.
 
Latta toured the facilities on the 4,500-acre site and learned about new infrastructure being built, including the Smart Mobility Advanced Research and Test (SMART) center, which will serve as a testing area for autonomous vehicles.
 
Latta also visited NHTSA’s Vehicle Research and Test Center where he learned about the testing and research conducted on site by the agency, including testing on new crash avoidance technology and cyber security measures.
 
“With more than 35,000 deaths a year on our nation’s roads, embracing cutting-edge innovation is the most effective way to save lives,” said Latta. “Ohio will play a significant role in developing this technology, and the state-of-the-art TRC facility is a major reason why our state is on the front lines of developing safer vehicles. Touring the facilities today showed me just how deep the commitment is to rolling out safer automobiles, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in developing the right legislative approach to supporting and implementing this new technology.”
 
Latta recently authored an opinion piece in Axios on the future of self-driving cars. That op-ed is available here.   
 
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