US governors urge responsible regulation for public buy-in of AVs

While connected vehicles offer the promise of improving many people’s lives, industry and public authorities must overcome their fears about safety and being left behind, said two US state governors. “There’s a lot of fear that they may be losing control,” said Colorado governor John Hickenlooper (right) during a panel discussion with Michigan governor Rick Snyder (centre) at ITS America 2018 in Detroit. “We have to make sure that each step we take we show people that their world will be safer,” said Hicke
June 7, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
Colorado governor John Hickenlooper (right) and Michigan governor Rick Snyder (centre)
While connected vehicles offer the promise of improving many people’s lives, industry and public authorities must overcome their fears about safety and being left behind, said two US state governors.


“There’s a lot of fear that they may be losing control,” said Colorado governor John Hickenlooper (right) during a panel discussion with Michigan governor Rick Snyder (centre) at 560 ITS America 2018 in Detroit. “We have to make sure that each step we take we show people that their world will be safer,” said Hickenlooper.

There are also fears that many people will lose their jobs thanks to the increasing use of connected vehicles, said Snyder. Many people, in the logistics sector and people transport sector - such as taxis and Uber - wonder if they will be redundant. “We need to be thoughtful about not waiting for this crisis to happen…we shouldn’t leave them behind,” said Snyder. Hickenlooper said both he and Snyder are “passionate” about ensuring the education system, from high school upwards, caters for future jobs such as servicing autonomous vehicles. They might have to have a lot of knowledge about lidar, for example. The public must also see that their governments are ensuring manufacturers of connected vehicle technology are adhering to regulations. On the other hand, the regulations shouldn’t stifle innovation by manufacturers.

“Of course the industry doesn’t want to see anybody hurt,” said Snyder. “It’s a balancing act trying to put in place responsible regulation.”

Hickenlooper agreed that it will have to be a partnership between the public authorities, the public and the manufacturers.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Outsourcing security weakness for Sweden’s driver and vehicle data
    October 24, 2017
    The security of driver and vehicle data hit the headlines this summer in Sweden and its authorities are still dealing with the fallout. David Crawford reports. epercussions from Sweden’s vehicle data outsourcing scandal continue to reverberate. Transportstyrelsen, the government’s transport agency, came under fire this summer for risking the personal security of over five million motorists by failing to implement full security checks on personnel in other countries to whom individual work packages could
    Read More
  • Incoming chair of ITS America looks at the road ahead for ITS
    June 3, 2015
    Jill Ingrassia, incoming chair of ITS America, on the exciting and challenging road ahead. Question: You have been a member of the Board of ITS America since 2008. What, for you, have been the top few standout achievements in that time? Answer: Hosting the 2014 ITS World Congress in Detroit is a clear standout. The meeting was a great convergence of the right people, in the right place, at the right time. The newsworthy events at the World Congress created energy and excitement about ITS America and the fut
    Read More
  • ITS investment on upward curve
    August 17, 2022
    More money is coming into the ITS sector – but where is it likely to go next? And what are the pros and cons of all this cash? Adam Hill talks to ITS veteran and corporate investment adviser Greg McKhann
    Read More
  • Colorado signs exec order to support transition to ZEVs
    January 25, 2019
    Governor of Colorado Jared Polis has signed an executive order which outlines a suite of initiatives to support a transition to zero emission vehicles (ZEV) in the US state. Polis says: “Our goal is to reach 100% renewable electricity by 2040 and embrace the green energy transition already underway economy-wide” He believes the public health and environmental benefits of widespread transportation electrification will increase as the state moves towards a cleaner electric grid. The initiatives include
    Read More

Highlighted Content