New Orleans leaders discuss proposed rules for driverless ride services

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - City leaders discussed proposed rules for companies offering driverless rides for hire in New Orleans, where Waymo continues to test self-driving vehicles on city streets.

“It adds autonomous vehicles to the city’s existing for-hire vehicle code,” New Orleans City Attorney Ashley Becnel said.

Pickup, idling and emergency rules “It additionally sets some specific rules where cars can or cannot pick up passengers, where they can idle,” Becnel said.

Becnel said the proposal also addresses how police and other first responders would handle a vehicle during a public safety emergency.

Taxi driver raises safety concerns Maizy Stell, a New Orleans taxi driver for 12 years, said she is concerned about how driverless rides could affect public safety and drivers’ livelihoods.