Autonomous trucks spark state-by-state fight over safety and jobs Autonomous trucks are charging ahead – and lawmakers are scrambling to keep up. More than half the states already have rules in place. But the tech is moving fast. A lot of those laws are starting to look outdated. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association says the self-driving tech has promise – but it also raises serious concerns about trucking jobs and highway safety. Land Line has reported that there are still no clear federal safety standards for autonomous vehicles. State rules are all over the place – some strict, some loose, some barely there. Now, states are scrambling to either tighten the rules or open the door even wider for driverless trucks. Missouri Missouri is hitting the gas on autonomous trucks. House lawmakers approved a bill that would allow fully driverless trucks and cars on public roads. HB2069 would greenlight vehicles that meet safety, insurance and certification standards. The state would handle registration. Cities and local governments would be blocked from banning or regulating these vehicles. Backers say it’s time to draw a clear line. They believe fewer human drivers could lead to fewer crashes. Labor groups strongly disagree. Missouri AFL-CIO President Jacob Hummel warned the bill could put transportation and delivery jobs on the chopping block. He said calling the automated system the “driver” eliminates the need for licensed human operators. The result could weaken worker protections across the board. The Senate Transportation Committee is set to take up the bill on April 8. Alabama Alabama is pumping the brakes on certain autonomous trucks. The state already allows truck platoons. Until now, there was no requirement for a human driver inside. That could change. The Senate approved a bill to revise the rule. SB222 would require a human driver on