Google And Automakers Object To California’s Proposed Self-Driving Rules

Google and a selection of automakers have objected to California’s new plans for the mandatory testing of self-driving vehicles.

During a hearing discussing the state’s plans in Sacramento, Google, Volkswagen, Honda, Ford and General Motors expressed their opposition to California’s proposal to require automakers to comply with recently-issued federal regulations regarding autonomous cars.

In particular, Automotive News reports the companies queried the necessity for a 12-month delay between the testing of a vehicle and the deployment of it on public roads as well as the required use of an autonomous vehicle data recorder which would have to be utilized by the firm’s self-driving prototypes.

According to David Strickland, the head of the Self-Driving Coalition for Safer Streets which includes Google, Ford, Lyft, Uber and Volvo, the plans “could greatly delay the benefits that self-driving vehicles can bring to safety and mobility for individuals.”

The brands also raised concerns about how a self-driving vehicle can be tested if it travels from one area to another if there are different laws in each.

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