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Consumer protection and highway safety groups object to mixing autonomous vehicle policy with COVID-19 relief

By Eric Tanenblatt, Peter Stockburger, and Crawford Schneider
April 16, 2020
  • Autonomous Vehicles
  • Driverless Commute
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Consumer protection and highway safety groups released statements yesterday pushing back on House Republicans who called for a revival of a federal autonomous vehicle bill as a mechanism to deal with COVID-19. The call to action was released in the form of a blog post from Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. They argue that AVs present an enormous opportunity to:

  • Help seniors and those with disabilities become more self-sufficient;
  • Deliver tests, medical supplies, groceries, and other necessities;
  • Jump start our economy by not just preserving jobs, but also creating new ones, as businesses get back to work and eye whole new opportunities;
  • Drastically improve roadway safety; and, of course,
  • Have the United States lead on the world stage.

In the statement released yesterday, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety pushed back, stating that they “adamantly oppose any efforts to attach legislation from last session or staff draft provisions from this session for the deployment of AVs to any must-pass legislation, including additional COVID-19 relief or economic stimulus packages.” Consumer Reports as well as several labor unions echoed the sentiment.

At present, the effort to mix autonomous vehicle policy with COVID-19 relief remains highly unlikely. In fact, it’s possible that the blog post was released more to highlight how autonomous vehicles could be useful in times of national lockdowns rather than as a serious legislative proposal.

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Eric Tanenblatt

About Eric Tanenblatt

Eric Tanenblatt is the Global Chair of Public Policy and Regulation of Dentons, the world's largest law firm. He also leads the firm's US Public Policy Practice, leveraging his three decades of experience at the very highest levels of the federal and state governments.

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Peter Stockburger

About Peter Stockburger

Peter Stockburger is a partner at Dentons, and is a member of the Firm’s global Employment, Intelligence and Strategic Services, and Data Privacy groups. Peter’s practice focuses on the unique intersection between cybersecurity, data privacy, employment law and complex commercial litigation.

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Crawford Schneider

About Crawford Schneider

Crawford Schneider is an associate managing director in Dentons' Public Policy and Regulation practice focusing on matters involving state and local government affairs, including legislative/regulatory research and drafting, land use and zoning, economic development, public-private partnerships, public policy surrounding disruptive transportation, and international trade and investment.

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