Recent incidents in Texas show need for AV laws A Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing in February stressed the importance of developing a federal framework for autonomous vehicles. The committee hearing also examined the production race against China and the cybersecurity threats surrounding AVs. “America is at a crossroads in transportation policy,” said Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, chairman of the committee. “Without federal oversight, we risk a fragmented patchwork of state laws that undermine safety, innovation and American competitiveness. We need a consistent federal framework to ensure uniform safety standards, liability clarity and consumer confidence.” In establishing those federal AV guidelines, true liability and accountability for autonomous vehicle companies need to be included, said Ranking Committee Member Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. Testifying before the committee was Lars Moravy, vice president of vehicle engineering at Tesla; Mauricio Pena, chief safety officer for Waymo; Jeff Farrah, CEO of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association and Bryant Walker Smith, associate professor of law at the University of South Carolina. “If the U.S. does not lead in AV development, other nations – particularly China – will shape the technology, standards and global market,” Moravy told the committee. “Federal safety regulations for vehicles have not kept pace with the rapid evolution of vehicle technology. Modernizing vehicle regulations is essential to ensure they reflect real-world performance, enhance safety and foster growth of the U.S. automotive industry.” Farrah believes the trucking and autonomous vehicle industries can work together successfully. “If someone is a truck driver today and they want to retire as a truck driver, they will absolutely have the opportunity to do so,” he said. “Autonomous vehicles are not out to replace truck drivers. Truck drivers are an indispensable, critical aspect of our supply chain and the backbone of the American economy. The goal