NCL Calls on Lawmakers to Establish a Framework for the Safe, Responsible Deployment of AVs

Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829 

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) today sent a letter to members of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee calling for lawmakers to establish a framework for the safe and responsible deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs), which are vehicles that can perform the entire driving task without human intervention.  The letter comes in advance of the Committee’s hearing titled “Hit the Road, Mac: The Future of Self-Driving Cars.”   

“NCL believes in the promise of AV technology,” the letter states.  “We also recognize that technology is only as reliable as its human developers.  Without appropriate safeguards in place, the race to develop AVs may become a race to the bottom, where deploying quickly supersedes deploying safely and responsibly.  Troubling safety incidents, regulatory black holes, and lax oversight threaten to disrupt this critical balance and the future of this technology itself.” 

In the letter, NCL encourages lawmakers to establish a framework that ensures AVs meet the need for motor vehicle safety and comply with applicable safety standards, protect Americans’ right to seek justice in the courts, preserve the appropriate role of state and local governments, and address potential workforce impacts. 

Yesterday, NCL released a report on vehicle affordability, finding that federal safety and fuel economy standards save consumers thousands while having a marginal effect on affordability. The full report is available here: Sticker Shock: Uncovering the Real Drivers of Rising Vehicle Prices. 

A copy of the letter can be found here.

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.