America’s roadways saw over 40,000 fatalities in motor vehicle crashes in 2023, with human error cited as a leading cause. Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are being considered as a possible solution to reduce such incidents. However, the deployment of AVs has been hindered by inconsistent public policies and state-level regulations.
Congress has previously debated national AV legislation, but no comprehensive federal framework has passed due to opposition from groups such as trial lawyers and unions. This legislative gap led states and localities to create their own rules, resulting in a fragmented regulatory environment that affects the development and use of AV technology.
Rep. Vince Fong (R-Calif.) recently introduced the Autonomous Mobility Ensuring Regulation, Innovation, Commerce, and Advancement Driving Reliability in Vehicle Efficiency and Safety (AMERICA DRIVES) Act. The bill aims to modernize regulations for commercial AVs by allowing vehicles equipped with Level 4 and Level 5 automated driving systems to operate without human drivers. This move addresses conflicts created by state laws that require human occupants in vehicles.
A study conducted by Swiss Reinsurance Co. and other technical labs found that Waymo robotaxis outperformed human drivers significantly—showing an 88 percent reduction in property damage claims and a 92 percent drop in bodily injury claims. According to an economist referenced in the study, current-generation AV taxis are ten times safer than human drivers, with safety improvements doubling every five years.
The AMERICA DRIVES Act seeks to establish federal standards for AV operations across state lines, particularly important for interstate commercial trucking. The bill uses SAE International J3016 standards for automation levels to maintain technological neutrality and allow flexibility as AV technology evolves.
Under the bill, automated driving systems are defined as those “capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task on a sustained basis.” The legislation requires regulatory parity so that rules do not unfairly burden or discriminate against ADS-equipped vehicles compared to traditional commercial vehicles.
Section 3 of the bill calls for updating Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations by 2027 to address requirements originally designed for human operators—such as commercial driver’s licenses and drug-testing protocols—which may not be relevant for autonomous systems.
Internationally, Germany authorized Level 4 AVs on public roads in 2021 through its Road Traffic Act amendment. In 2024, the United Kingdom enacted its Automated Vehicles Act to create a comprehensive regulatory framework for AVs. Without similar federal action, some warn that the United States could lose its competitive advantage if inconsistent state regulations persist.
Research from academic institutions like Georgia Tech and industry organizations including the North American Council for Freight Efficiency suggests that autonomous trucking could provide significant cost savings through reduced labor costs and improved fuel efficiency.
Supporters argue that the AMERICA DRIVES Act would maintain necessary safety oversight while removing outdated requirements not applicable to autonomous systems. The bill distinguishes between “remote drivers” and “remote assistance,” reflecting new models of human oversight for AVs.
Advocates believe this legislation is essential for supporting innovation while ensuring public safety on U.S. roads: “By creating regulatory clarity, eliminating unnecessary barriers, and establishing a framework for ongoing regulatory adaptation, this legislation provides the foundation for the United States to lead in autonomous commercial vehicle deployment.”
“The choice is clear: We can maintain outdated regulations that assume all vehicles need human drivers, or we can create a regulatory framework that enables the safe deployment of autonomous systems that promise to make our roads safer, our economy more efficient, and our transportation system more innovative.”
