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Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved landmark self-driving car legislation authored by Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green), the SELF DRIVE Act, with unanimous support. The legislation, H.R. 3388, is the first bill passed at the federal level to address self-driving technology. The SELF DRIVE Act aims to improve consumer safety by reducing traffic-related fatalities and injuries, clarify the federal and state roles, and stimulate job growth and economic opportunities. Latta serves as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee, which oversees self-driving cars, and he has toured facilities in both Ohio and Michigan that are testing this technology.
 
“The passage of the SELF DRIVE Act is an important milestone in the development, testing, and deployment of self-driving cars,” said Latta. “Autonomous vehicle technology has the possibility to reduce deaths on our nation’s roadways by the tens of thousands, and accidents by the millions. At the same time, seniors and those living with disabilities would find their mobility greatly increased by self-driving cars. Today’s passage of this legislation is the result of countless meetings, discussions, and hearings where stakeholders, federal officials, and Members of Congress shared their perspectives. Our region is leading the way in the development of this technology with sites like the Transportation Research Center right in our backyard. With the number of auto part manufacturers in Ohio, self-driving cars will be a job creator and economic driver for years to come.”

Video of Congressman Latta discussing the legislation on the floor is available here.

It’s estimated that there were more than 40,000 deaths in 2016 due to traffic accidents in the United States. There were also more than 2 million injuries resulting from 6 million accidents nationwide — 94% of which are due to human error. Self-driving car technology has the potential to greatly reduce the prevalence of these accidents and make the nation’s roadways safer. Read Congressman Latta’s op-ed from earlier this year on the emerging technology.
 
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