New York State Gives Official Green Light for Autonomous Vehicle Testing
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Gov. Cuomo: With a “careful yet balanced approach” for introducing driverless vehicles, the state can “reduce dangerous driving habits, decrease the number of accidents and save lives.”
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that his state is now accepting applications from companies wanting to test autonomous vehicles on public roads. New York state’s fiscal 2018 budget opened the door to testing autonomous vehicles through a year-long pilot program.
Cuomo, in an announcement, said that the new application from the Department of Motor Vehicles helps burnishes his state’s tech credentials. "New York has emerged as one of the nation's leading hubs for innovation, and as we invite companies and entrepreneurs to reimagine transportation technology, we will encourage the development of new, safe travel options for New Yorkers," Cuomo said.
The governor added that with a “careful yet balanced approach” to introducing autonomous vehicles to New York’s roads, the state can help “reduce dangerous driving habits, decrease the number of accidents and save lives.”
More details from the state:
All vehicles will also have to comply with federal safety standards and all applicable New York State inspection standards, and a person holding a valid driver license must be present in the driver's seat at all times while it is operated on public highways. Each vehicle to be used must be listed in the application, and a $5 million insurance policy must be in place for any vehicles to be tested.
Among other things, companies must also submit a report on demonstrations or tests, undertaken pursuant to a DMV permit, to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles no later than March 1, 2018. The law permitting demonstrations or tests is set to expire April 1, 2018.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 12 other states—Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah and Virginia—and the District of Columbia, have passed legislation related to autonomous vehicles.
"While we all are familiar with the idea that self-driving cars will one day likely be commonplace, the reality is that there is a long road ahead before we get there,” the New York DMV’s executive deputy commissioner, Terri Egan, said in the governor’s announcement. “We need to make sure these vehicles are safely tested on our roads, while providing opportunities for the public to become familiar with this technology.”
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