A coalition of 65 consumer advocacy and street safety organizations has warned against the bill known as AV START, which would preempt state and local safety regulations of self-driving cars without spelling out any federal safety rules (although it would allow U.S. DOT to draft some). In addition, the bill would exempt AVs from many safety standards that apply to all other cars. Each manufacturer would get an allotment of 100,000 vehicles to sell for use on public streets within three years.

In a letter [dated July 16, 2018] sent to Senators yesterday [PDF], the coalition — which includes the American Public Health Association, America Walks, and the League of American Bicyclists — demands the addition of public safety standards before the legislation is enacted. But Thune [R-SD], the Commerce Committee chair who represents one of the most rural, least-populated states in the nation, wants to include the AV START language as a rider to the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, which is viewed as a must-pass. The maneuver would prevent debate and an up-or-down vote on AV START as stand-alone legislation.

Some people are using the fear factor to get this passed. China will be in the autonomous vehicle driver's seat if Senate doesn't act.

I hope they take their time and get it close to right the first time. With this administration we are losing a lot of our protections. It needs to end.