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Jeff Bridges
Senator | Denver, CO

A Wide Road and Sturdy Guardrails for Driverless Cars

Idea Category: Infrastructure, Transportation

Problem

Driverless cars have the potential to reduce traffic fatalities by up to 90%. They will provide affordable, on-demand transportation for those with disabilities, our aging population, and anyone with an unreliable vehicle—no one will ever have to miss work because their car won't start. However, CO law currently does not address even the possibility of driverless cars. Until driverless cars are as safe as those with drivers, we need to protect people on the roads while ensuring that our state is a safe and attractive place for this developing new industry.

Solution

Driverless cars will provide more accessible and affordable transportation to everyone, but the technology is developing faster than our ability to regulate it. To encourage entrepreneurship while keeping people safe we need clear legal boundaries alongside highly adaptable oversight. My bill works to give CDOT and State Patrol the authority and the flexibility they need to work with companies at all stages of testing while ensuring the safety of all Coloradans by doing four things: The bill recognizes that driverless cars exist. It requires them to follow all traffic laws. If they can't, a company must get approval for testing from CDOT and State Patrol. And if they go ahead without approval, State Patrol will impound their vehicles. We give CDOT and State Patrol the authority and the flexibility they need to work with companies at all stages of testing while ensuring the safety of all Coloradans. Since we passed this legislation, the French driverless car company EasyRide has named Denver their US headquarters.