March 20, 2018

Arizona death brings calls for more autonomous vehicle rules

by Tom Krisher

Arizona death brings calls for more autonomous vehicle rules
A vehicle goes by the scene of Sunday's fatality where a pedestrian was stuck by an Uber vehicle in autonomous mode, in Tempe, Ariz., Monday, March 19, 2018. A self-driving Uber SUV struck and killed the woman in suburban Phoenix in the first death involving a fully autonomous test vehicle. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

The deadly collision between an Uber autonomous vehicle and a pedestrian near Phoenix is bringing calls for tougher self-driving regulations. But advocates for a hands-off approach say big changes aren't needed.

Police in Tempe, Arizona, say the female pedestrian walked in front of the Uber SUV Sunday night. Neither the automated system nor the human backup driver stopped in time. Local authorities haven't determined fault.

Current federal regulations have few requirements specifically for self-driving vehicles, leaving it for states to handle. Many, such as Arizona, Nevada and Michigan, cede key decisions to companies.

Many federal and say their regulations are sufficient to keep people safe while allowing the potentially life-saving technology to grow.

© 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Citation: Arizona death brings calls for more autonomous vehicle rules (2018, March 20) retrieved 10 June 2023 from https://phys.org/news/2018-03-arizona-death-autonomous-vehicle.html
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