By Karla Sullivan
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones is holding a public hearing at the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose to obtain public input regarding liability and insurance issues associated with self-driving cars.
“California is a leader in new technologies and business models. One such innovation — self-driving cars — holds the potential to dramatically change the world of transportation and potentially reduce accidents, injuries and deaths.” said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. “While fully autonomous cars are not yet available, a number of self-driving features, such as self-parking cars and active collision avoidance systems are already in use. Based on the rapid advance of technology, it’s entirely possible that fully autonomous cars will be available in a few years’ time. We need to consider and be ready to answer questions around who will be responsible and what insurance will be available to mitigate losses that might occur in the operation of this new technology, so that the technology can achieve its potential while protecting consumers.”
The Commissioner will hear from a number of companies that are developing self-driving cars and from representatives of insurance companies and other state agencies with whom the Department of Insurance is working with to make sure that public policy is in place to address this new technology.
Commissioner Jones recently toured a self-driving car research and development facility, met with engineers and designers, and rode in a self-driving car. “Riding in a car equipped with self-driving technology was a fascinating experience. The car safely moved through all sorts of complicated interactions with other cars, bike riders, and pedestrians, all the while driving on city streets,” said Jones. “The self-driving car technology holds great promise and it is exciting to see self-driving car research, design and manufacturing occurring in California — demonstrating once again that California is an innovator.”
In fact, Audi and Mercedes- Benz have become the first automakers to receive a permit from the state government to test its self-driving cars on California roadways. The permit regulates test drivers to have stellar driving records and enroll in a special program as well as drivers having the ability to take control of the vehicle if they need to.
