With autonomous self-driving cars and trucks expected to reach the streets and highways within five years, North Carolina needs to be ready. So I filed a bill to create the state’s first law specifically to address the operation of these vehicles.
Under my bill, no occupants of a fully autonomous self-driving vehicle would need a driver license to ride in it. If the car’s self-driving ability has a malfunction, the car must be able to bring itself into “a reasonably safe state,” such as bringing itself to a complete stop.
If the car is involved in a crash, it is required to stay at the scene and it, or its owner, is required to contact law enforcement. And, like human driver, the driverless vehicle would be required to carry liability insurance. The bill would also prohibit city and county governments in North Carolina from imposing regulations driverless vehicles