California Assembly Passes Bill Prohibiting Autonomous Trucks On State’s Roads Without Drivers

Late last month, the California State Assembly passed a bill, Assembly Bill 316, prohibiting autonomous weighing over 10,000 pounds from operating on the state’s roads without a human driver.

The ruling, which was Teamster supported, was a defeat for the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association (AVIA), which consists of Uber, Ford, and Waymo. The AVIA contends that artificial intelligence can drive more effectively than humans. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), California, with 398 deaths, ranked second in fatalities resulting from large truck crashes in 2020.

Many argue that human drivers are safer than autonomous vehicles and that putting driverless trucks weighing upwards of 80,000 pounds on the roads with much lighter passenger vehicles is reckless and dangerous.

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“California highways are an unpredictable place, but as a Teamster truck driver of 13 years, I’m trained to expect the unexpected. I know how to look out for people texting while driving, potholes in the middle of the road, and folks on the side of the highway with a flat tire. We can’t trust new technology to pick up on those things,” said Fernando Reyes, Commercial Driver and Teamsters Local 350 member. “My truck weighs well over 10,000 pounds. The thought of it barreling down the highway with no driver behind the wheel is a terrifying thought, and it isn’t safe. AB 316 is the only way forward for California.”

A study from the American Automobile Association (AAA) in March, 2023, found that nearly 70 percent of Americans fear fully self-driving cars — a significant increase from previous years. A study in Texas, in April 2023, reported that more than 70 percent of Texans said they would be afraid to share the road with driverless heavy trucks.

“We need AB 316 to pass because we can’t trust big tech companies to look out for the best interest of Californians,” said Randy Cammack, President of Teamsters Joint Council 42. “Not a single one of these AV companies have demonstrated that they have a safe product, are committed to retraining workers displaced by automation, or that they will create more middle class jobs than they destroy. These companies are against AB 316 because they’re looking out for their bottom line, and workers need elected officials to look out for theirs.”

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Chris Piche, CEO and founder of Smarter AI, offered a very different viewpoint and expressed concern that California’s ruling may have a ripple effect in other states. “I believe that the recent California autonomous truck driving bill is a step in the wrong direction. Requiring human drivers in self-driving trucks undermines the potential of artificial intelligence to revolutionize the transportation industry. By embracing AI technology, we have the opportunity to enhance road safety and increase efficiency. It is crucial to trust in the capabilities of autonomous systems and work towards a future where driverless vehicles can operate safely and effectively on our roads.”

AB 316, which still faces two divided parties in California, is expected to be heard in the Senate soon.