Autonomous Vehicle 'Domestic' Rule Change
The Motorcycle Riders Federation (MRF) in The United States has reported that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that it is updating rules to allow domestically produced autonomous vehicles to qualify for the same exemptions from U.S. auto safety standards previously offered only to import vehicles.
"NHTSA will continue to require car makers and other companies to report crashes involving self-driving systems while loosening some reporting requirements," the report states.
NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser said of the move that NHTSA is "actively engaged in developing a multi-faceted regulatory framework for vehicles with automated driving systems."
In response, the MRF says that it is still too early to know how these changes will impact motorcyclists, but that the move "does signal a push by the Trump Administration to remove previous restrictions on self-driving vehicles.
"For the last decade, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has been raising concerns that this new technology may be unable to recognize and react to motorcyclists. Now more than ever, the MRF will remain vigilant, work with our partners on Capitol Hill and fight to protect the safety of everyone on our national roadways."
Based on tests, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) has found that up to 50% of automotive ADAS (Advanced Driver Assist Systems) technologies are having problems detecting or recognizing motorcycles under certain circumstances.