Washington — Federal regulation of autonomous trucks should “prioritize both workers and safety,” the International Brotherhood of Teamsters says.
In a not too long ago launched framework doc, the Teamsters checklist solutions Congress and federal regulators ought to think about when forming federal coverage on autonomous trucks. Among them: Include a requirement for human operators and don’t challenge guidelines that override any on the state degree which have “greater protections.”
The labor union supplies 5 rules to information coverage: regulating the car, regulating the operator, regulating operations, interplay with different legal guidelines and workforce impacts.
Mandating that autonomous trucks be operated by people topic to DOT necessities governing business driver’s licenses and hours-of-service laws is among the many Teamsters’ prime goals. The union additionally desires to uphold state laws which may require extra human operators and displays or larger licensing requirements and restrictions on autonomous car use than a federal coverage may stipulate.
Other proposed provisions:
- Authorize the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to revoke working authority for the use of AVs by any operator at its discretion as a result of of questions of safety.
- Require motor carriers that wish to deploy AVs to report the situation and performance of automobiles in use.
- Ensure Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards – not a waiver – regulate the design, building and efficiency of extremely automated automobiles and automatic driving programs.
- Require any recipient of federal funding, federal transit funding or holder of FMCSA working authority to publicly disclose deliberate AV use and its anticipated workforce impacts.
“Strong federal AV policies must prioritize both workers and safety,” Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien stated in a press launch. “Any legislation that puts workers and the general public at risk will be met with aggressive opposition by the Teamsters and our allies.”
A growing AV legislation in California holds the Teamsters’ backing. On Sept. 11, the California Senate and Assembly handed A.B. 316, which might prohibit autonomous trucks weighing greater than 10,000 kilos from working on state roadways with out human drivers.
The laws additionally would hold the California Highway Patrol and Department of Motor Vehicles from contemplating permits for AVs till 2029.
O’Brien, in a separate launch, affirmed the Teamsters’ backing of the invoice whereas calling on California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to signal it. Neglecting to take action would put “the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of truck drivers at risk, while jeopardizing public safety.”
