AAJ Urges Senators to Prioritize Safety and Reject Automated Vehicle Legislation

Washington, DC — The following is a statement from American Association for Justice CEO Linda Lipsen on the "Vehicle Technology Competitiveness Act of 2021," an amendment to the Endless Frontier Act, which would exempt the manufacturers of tens of thousands of driverless cars from any accountability when their products kill or injure drivers, passengers or pedestrians:
 
"We oppose this legislation as it will eliminate safety incentives for automated vehicles thereby causing more injuries and deaths on our roads. Just days ago we saw the danger inherent in this new, largely untested technology with the crash of a partially automated Tesla in Houston resulting in two deaths.
 
"Not only does this legislation allow the industry to be exempt from safety standards, but it gives auto and tech companies the ability to avoid all accountability through the use of forced arbitration clauses, while eliminating fundamental rights that exist today for those injured in crashes. 
 
"Ultimately, the industry wants a license to use America’s roads as a test track, and evade responsibility when its technology injures or kills Americans. America can and should lead the way on developing new technologies, but not by allowing the industry to skirt accountability and eliminating the critical safety incentives that have continuously led to auto safety improvements."
 

CONTACT Carly Moore Sfregola Email: Carly.Sfregola@justice.org Phone: 202.684.9609