Michigan Passes Laws to Allow Operation of Autonomous Vehicles

Google-self-drive-car-cropped.jpgMichigan, the historical heart of the US automotive industry, has passed laws to allow the operation of autonomous vehicles on the states roads.

Michigan’s Governor Rick Snyder signed four bills regarding autonomous vehicle repair, research, driving networks and accident responsibility.

The most important of these four bills is Senate Bill (SB) 995, which allows the operation of autonomous vehicles on Michigan roads – previously only testing by manufacturers was permitted. The Bill states that all safety requirements that pertain to testing will also apply to operation of the vehicles. In addition, the legislation includes the creation of the Michigan Council on Future Mobility, within Michigan’s Department of Transportation, to make future recommendations on policy.

SB 996 enables manufacturers to offer on-demand taxi services using fleets of autonomous vehicles – something that Uber has been working hard to achieve, trialling self-driving vehicles in Pittsburgh in September.

SB 997 expands on what is considered lawful for autonomous driving testing facilities, removing barriers to operations at the American Center for Mobility at Willow run.

SB 998 removes liability from mechanics for any damages to vehicles that result from repairs – if repairs are made in line with manufacturer specifications.

“Michigan put the world on wheels and now we are leading the way in transforming the auto industry,” Snyder said. “We are becoming the mobility industry, shaped around technology that makes us more aware and safer as we’re driving. By recognizing that and aligning our state’s policies as new technology is developed, we will continue as the leader the rest of the world sees as its biggest competition.”