[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 145 (Friday, September 8, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1189-E1190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SAFELY ENSURING LIVES FUTURE DEPLOYMENT AND RESEARCH IN VEHICLE 
                             EVOLUTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. RANDY HULTGREN

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 6, 2017

  Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, I commend the sponsors of this 
legislation, Bob Latta and Jan Schakowsky, and the Energy and Commerce 
Committee for their work on H.R. 3388, the SAFE DRIVE Act. The 
development of ``self-driving'' vehicles has the potential to make a 
quantum leap in road safety and access to transportation. The SAFE 
Drive Act begins the important process of developing the regulatory 
framework for this new technology. As Congress continues its work in 
this area, it is important that we make sure that the new regulatory 
landscape works well for all stakeholders. Accordingly, I would like to 
highlight some issues that we need to continue to be mindful of because 
of their impact on insurers. Clearly, for automated driving technology 
to fully develop, insurers are an important component for managing the 
associated risks.
  Highly automated vehicles hold great promise for reducing the number 
of deaths and accidents on our nation's roads as well as providing 
increased mobility for those who are not able to drive due to age or 
disability. This transition to ``self-driving'' vehicles will take 
place over many years during which these vehicles will interact, and 
sometimes collide with, vehicles driven by humans. Our legal system has 
a vast amount of experience apportioning liability after auto 
accidents, but that task could be made more difficult if access to data 
(including photos or video) generated by automated vehicles involved in 
accidents is restricted.
  As such, vehicle owners should have primary control over vehicle data 
from highly automated vehicles. Automated vehicle data must be made 
available to the parties involved, their insurers and authorized 
representatives on reasonable terms. State and federal governments 
should not set limits on access to vehicle data by law or regulation 
that could delay compensation to accident victims and increase 
automobile insurance costs, nor should vehicle manufacturers be 
permitted to limit access. to vehicle data.
  For any vehicle, safety issues are paramount. While automated vehicle 
technology has the potential to greatly reduce crashes, it is unlikely 
to eliminate them entirely. Therefore, maintaining existing standards 
for vehicle crash protection for automated vehicles is essential. 
Granting of exceptions should only be considered through an evidence 
based approach and should not be rushed--automated driving capabilities 
do not necessarily guarantee improved safety.
  Again, I commend my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee 
for their work on this legislation. I look forward to supporting it and 
to continuing to work towards achieving the objectives I have outlined.

[[Page E1190]]

  

                          ____________________