Key players from the auto and technology industries including Ford, Volvo, Google, Uber, and Lyft have joined forces to urge the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to answer this burning question: How will self-driving cars be regulated?
According to Reuters, the Self-Driving Coalition for Safer Streets said in a statement it will "work with lawmakers, regulators, and the public to realize the safety and societal benefits of self-driving vehicles."
Ford released its own statement explaining that the group will "work together to advocate for policy solutions that will support the deployment of fully autonomous vehicles."
Meanwhile, NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind said policymakers should avoid a "patchwork" of state regulations on self-driving cars. He hopes to have federal rules and guidelines ready by July.
In California, authorities recently proposed banning self-driving cars that don’t have steering wheels, pedals, and a licensed driver able to take over in case of an emergency. Google, which is currently developing such a vehicle, has naturally opposed.