Google's Self-Driving Car Miles Ahead of Texas Laws
Amid considerable fanfare, Google showcased a prototype of its self-driving car this week in Austin.
Along with wowing 1,300 attendees at a conference put on by the Texas Department of Transportation, the company’s groundbreaking technology also exposed how the state’s laws are unprepared for roads filled with vehicles that drive themselves.
Google did not seek permission from any local or state agencies before driving its experimental vehicle on Texas roads and highways alongside thousands of other vehicles, the company confirmed. Any other company testing self-driving technology in Texas wouldn't need to either. Neither Austin nor Texas ...
Comments (8)
Bud Garcia
What happens in the event of a collision or accident? The car is to blame, not the driver? What if the accelerator sticks? Available handbrake? No more DWI's, "officer, the car is driving itself".
Lori Rene Mixson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I miss my highway days with you, Waaaaaalaine! Time for a road trip!!!!!!!!
Roberta Dillania de Geldofinez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Google doesn't provide easily accessible customer service but they have a self-driving car. They don't care about their customers issues so why do they have a say in the laws that effect everyone?
Les Stevens via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Couldn't be any worse than the typical Austin driver.
Arthur M. Thomas IV via Texas Tribune on Facebook
bring on the self driving cars! yay!
Neil Moyer
How bad can this be, wot with cell foners, boozers, gunners, etc. on the road, too....
Omar Hernandez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
If its self driving, you should have taken a picture of the driver's seat!!!!
Jim Vance
Despite all the "wowing" of the insider crowd at this TxDOT shmoozefest and the superficial commentary about what wonderful benefits such technological improvement might accomplish for safety and congestion reduction at some point in the future, none of the officials or industry insiders really has any desire to see such a technologically advanced vehicle fleet coming into the real world in force anytime soon. The reason why is simple -- that prospect thoroughly undercuts two of the principal justifications supporting public acceptance for construction of new-alignment (toll) roads which provide the maximum short-run economic benefits to the insiders in the construction and real estate industries, and who then re-invest some of their profits into the political and charitable institutions where their influence can be most enhanced by the donations.