What's happening
This bill allows drivers to remove their hands from the steering wheel when a certified driving automation system is engaged.
Why it matters
Legalizes hands-free driving. when a car's steering is controlled by a certified automation system, potentially encouraging the adoption and use of advanced driver-assistance technologies.
Aligns state law with industry standards. by referencing SAE J3016, a widely-accepted definition of driving automation, which could make it easier for manufacturers and regulators to interpret and comply with the new rules.
Shifts responsibility and liability considerations. by allowing drivers to remove their hands from the wheel, the bill could affect how accidents involving automated vehicles are investigated and who is considered at fault.
Signals a policy shift toward automated vehicles. , which may accelerate investment, research, and rollout of autonomous driving features in New York, impacting road safety, insurance, and driver education.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Hands-Free Self-Driving
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 53–7
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.957
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Allow Hands-Free Self-Driving
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Joseph Morelle
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8243
IN SENATE
April 23, 2018
Introduced by Sen. ROBACH -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to permitting a driver to not have a hand on the steering mechanism of a vehicle while a driving automation system is engaged
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1226 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 506 of the laws of 1971, is amended to read as follows:
§ 1226. Control of steering mechanism. No person shall operate a motor vehicle without having at least one hand or, in the case of a physically handicapped person, at least one prosthetic device or aid on the steering mechanism at all times when the motor vehicle is in motion unless a driving automation system, as defined in SAE J3016 as periodically revised, is engaged to perform steering function.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law and shall apply to violations committed on and after such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14164-01-8
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to permitting a driver to not have a hand on the steering mech- anism of a vehicle while a driving automation system is engaged
Purpose
To amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to permitting a driver to not have a hand on the steering mechanism of a vehicle while a driv- ing automation system is engaged.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: No person shall operate a motor vehicle without having at least one hand or, in the case of a physically handicapped person, at least one prosthetic device or aid on the steering mechanism at all times when the motor vehicle is in motion unless a driving automation system, as defined in SAE J3016 as periodically revised, is engaged to perform steering function.
Justification
In a 2016 survey done by AAA, they found that there was a 60% demand for at least one of the following autonomous features: automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, self-parking technology or lane assist. They also found that for drivers who want semi-autonomous vehi- cle technology in their next vehicle, their primary motivation is safety (84%) followed by convenience (64%).
The demand for some autonomous feature in a consumers next vehicle is growing but our laws are not equipped to tackle the new and emerging market. Currently, in states like California and Nevada, self-driving cars are allowed on public roads as long as a human driver is sitting behind the wheel and alert. Companies like Volvo, General Motors, Chrys- ler, Mercedes Benz, and Audi are releasing vehicles that contain auton- omous technology. "Drive Pilot", from Mercedes, allows the driver to hand over direct control of steering and speed while still supervising the overall operation of the car. The vast majority of current automo- biles with some autonomous technology will be at Level 3 Conditional Automation, as defined by SAE J3016. The third of five levels of auto- mation, states the monitoring of the driving environment is done by the system but the fallback performance of the task is the human driver.
There is concern that this technology will cause more safety issues. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that human error accounts for nearly 93% of crashes. By replacing error-prone human drivers, autonomous vehicles could potentially save 30,000 lives each year in the U.S. It can annually prevent 5 million accidents, 2 million injuries, and conserve 7 billion liters of fuel.
Furthermore, a report by the Ruderman Foundation stated that autonomous vehicles would have a great benefit for those with disabilities. For the deaf community, it states that the visual cues and instruction capabili- ties would be helpful. For those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the technology offers a means of operation with minimal complexity and allows caretakers for those with disabilities that abili-
ty to ensure their safety with GPS tracking and remotely accessible video cameras.
Legislative history
New Legislation
Fiscal implications
TBD
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law and shall apply to violations committed on and after such date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.