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Autonomous Technology in the Crosshairs Federal authorities investigate Tesla’s Autopilot system. AMA opposes “beta-testing” the technology on the open road with little regulatory oversight. BY KALI KOTOSKI utomotive manufacturers have been charging ahead with autonomous vehicle (AV) technology and active driver assist systems of late, as Twittersavvy tech CEOs make grand pronouncements to consumers and shareholders that cars with self-driving features are not just an unavoidable eventuality, but safer than regular vehicles and will lower accidents and fatalities on the road. But with headlines popping up on a near weekly basis of crashes involving cars utilizing some form of AV technology, there are legitimate concerns regarding a) the seriousness of federal oversight and b) if the technology is advanced enough to be safely used in real-world driving scenarios.
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The American Motorcyclist Association has raised the alarm about AV technology for years, criticizing federal authorities for lack of regulation and urging them to impose a regulatory framework for the technology’s application and development. The AMA also emphasizes the necessity of including motorcycles in manufacturers’ testing and data-gathering methods. Additionally, the AMA cautions against beta testing the many forms of AV technology currently being deployed on America’s roads despite a lack of safety data or regulation. The AMA is hardly alone with these concerns, as insurance companies and safety advocates call for greater federal oversight. “After more than four years since
AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST • NOVEMBER 2021
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published its first federal automated vehicle policy, we are disappointed the agency has yet to propose any specific guidance or regulation that would establish even the fundamental goals for Automated Driver System (ADS) Safety,” wrote AMA Government Relations Manager Tiffany Cipoletti in a February comment to NHTSA. “NHTSA promotes the notion that ADS technology for human drivers will lead to fewer injuries and deaths from motor vehicle crashes. […] We urge NHTSA to develop specific proposals to ensure that ADS fulfills its safety promise and to ensure that motorcyclists and all other road users benefit from being correctly detected and responded to in all traffic conditions.”
