Autonomous vehicles: pilot project.
The pilot project authorized by SB251 will allow for the evaluation of autonomous vehicle technology under specific, controlled conditions and is a precursor to potential broader legislative changes regarding the testing and deployment of fully autonomous vehicles in California. However, the bill includes significant stipulations, including requiring the County of Merced, or any participating private entities, to secure a $5 million insurance policy or proof of self-insurance, thereby ensuring that adequate financial measures are in place to handle any accidents arising during the pilot's duration. Additionally, the bill mandates comprehensive safety evaluations and data reporting to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Senate Bill No. 251, introduced by Senator Cannella, authorizes the County of Merced to conduct a pilot project for testing autonomous vehicles that operate without a driver in the seat and lack standard controls like a steering wheel or accelerator. The project's testing is to occur specifically at the Castle Commerce Center and must occur within public roads of that area. This bill is designed to develop regulations governing the independent operation of such vehicles and represents a significant shift in current California law, which stipulates that a human driver must always be present and capable of taking control in case of technology failure.
Notably, the bill also requires the vehicle operators to disclose any personal information collected from pilot participants, raising privacy concerns among advocates and civil liberties groups. There may be contention around how well these testing conditions reflect real-world scenarios and whether the significant requirements might discourage participation from technology companies. Moreover, with state legislation continuing to evolve around autonomous technology, SB251 lays groundwork but may be viewed as a stopgap until comprehensive statewide regulations regarding driverless vehicles are implemented by the Department of Motor Vehicles.