AB 623: Autonomous vehicles: accident and incident reporting.
- Session Year: 2017-2018
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2018-06-13
(1)Existing law establishes regulations for the operation of an autonomous vehicle on public roads for testing purposes by a driver who possesses the proper class of license for the type of vehicle being operated if the manufacturer meets prescribed requirements related to the vehicles operation, insurance, and testing, as specified. Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to approve an application for operation if a manufacturer meets the requirements to satisfy the department that the autonomous vehicles are safe to operate on public roads. Existing law defines the terms autonomous technology and autonomous vehicle for these purposes.
This bill would instead require the department to approve an application for operation as described above if the department determines that the autonomous vehicles are properly registered, licensed, and insured, as specified. The bill would revise the definition of autonomous technology to mean technology that has the capability to drive a vehicle equipped with an automated driving system and would revise the definition of autonomous vehicle to mean a vehicle equipped with an automated driving system. The bill would also define the terms automated driving system, dedicated highly automated vehicle, and dynamic driving task for the purposes described above.
Existing(2)Existing law requires the driver of every motor vehicle who is involved in an accident that results in damage to the property of any one person in excess of $1,000, or in bodily injury, or in the death of a person, to report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days after the accident, as specified. Under existing law, it is unlawful and constitutes an infraction for any person to violate, or fail to comply with, any provision of the Vehicle Code, unless otherwise specified.
This bill would also require the operator of an autonomous vehicle who is involved in an accident or incident that results in damage to the property of any one person in excess of $1,000, or in bodily injury, or in the death of a person, to make that report. The bill would require a traffic collision report prepared by a member of the Department of the California Highway Patrol or any other peace officer to specify if an autonomous vehicle was involved in the traffic collision in any manner. Because a violation of the bills reporting requirement would be an infraction, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law requires the driver of every motor vehicle who is involved in an accident that results in damage to the property of any one person in excess of $1,000, or in bodily injury, or in the death of a person, to report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days after the accident, as specified. Under existing law, it is unlawful and constitutes an infraction for any person to violate, or fail to comply with, any provision of the Vehicle Code, unless otherwise specified.
This bill would also require the operator of an autonomous vehicle who is involved in an accident that results in damage to the property of any one person in excess of $1,000, or in bodily injury, or in the death of a person, to make that report. The bill would require a traffic collision report prepared by a member of the Department of the California Highway Patrol or any other peace officer to specify if an autonomous vehicle was involved in the traffic collision in any manner. Because a violation of the bills reporting requirement would be an infraction, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law requires the driver of every motor vehicle who is involved in an accident that results in damage to the property of any one person in excess of $1,000, or in bodily injury, or in the death of a person, to report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days after the accident, as specified. Under existing law, it is unlawful and constitutes an infraction for any person to violate, or fail to comply with, any provision of the Vehicle Code, unless otherwise specified.
This bill would also require an accident involving operation of an autonomous vehicle that results in catastrophic bodily injury or the death of a person to be reported to the department within 24 hours of occurrence. The bill would require the department to suspend the approval granted to the manufacturer of the autonomous vehicle for 5 business days following the reporting of the accident, during which time the department and other appropriate agencies would be required to review the accident to determine if it was caused by a failure of the autonomous vehicle technology. If it is determined that the accident is caused by technological failure, the bill would authorize the department to revoke the manufacturers approval until the manufacturer provides the department and other appropriate agencies with evidence that the safety hazard has been resolved. the operator of an autonomous vehicle who is involved in an accident that results in damage to the property of any one person in excess of $1,000, or in bodily injury, or in the death of a person, to make that report. The bill would require a traffic collision report prepared by a member of the Department of the California Highway Patrol or any other peace officer to specify if an autonomous vehicle was involved in the traffic collision in any manner. Because a violation of the bills reporting requirement would be an infraction, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law authorizes the operation of an autonomous vehicle on public roads for testing purposes by a driver who possesses the proper class of license for the type of vehicle being operated if specified requirements are satisfied. Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to adopt regulations no later than January 1, 2015, setting forth requirements for the submission of evidence of insurance, surety bond, or self-insurance, and for the submission and approval of an application to operate an autonomous vehicle. Under existing law, it is unlawful and constitutes an infraction for any person to violate, or fail to comply with, any provision of the Vehicle Code, unless otherwise specified.
Existing law requires the driver of every motor vehicle who is involved in an accident that results in damage to the property of any one person in excess of $1,000, or in bodily injury, or in the death of a person, to report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days after the accident, as specified.
This bill would require an accident involving operation of an autonomous vehicle that results in catastrophic bodily injury or the death of a person to be reported to the department within 24 hours of occurrence. The bill would require the department to suspend the approval granted to the manufacturer of the autonomous vehicle for 5 business days following the reporting of the accident, during which time the department and other appropriate agencies would be required to review the accident to determine if it was caused by a failure of the autonomous vehicle technology. If it is determined that the accident is caused by technological failure, the bill would authorize the department to revoke the manufacturers approval until the manufacturer provides the department and other appropriate agencies with evidence that the safety hazard has been resolved. Because a violation of the bills reporting requirement would be an infraction, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
A traffic collision report prepared by a member of the Department of the California Highway Patrol or any other peace officer shall specify if an autonomous vehicle vehicle, as defined in Section 38750, was involved in the traffic collision in any manner.
SEC. 2.Section 16000 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:16000.(a)The driver of a motor vehicle or the operator of an autonomous vehicle who is in any manner involved in an accident or incident originating from the operation of the motor vehicle or autonomous vehicle on a street or highway, or is involved in a reportable off-highway accident, as defined in Section 16000.1, that has resulted in damage to the property of any one person in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000), or in bodily injury, or in the death of any person shall report the accident, accident or incident within 10 days after the accident, accident or incident, either personally or through an insurance agent, broker, or legal representative, on a form approved by the department, to the office of the department at Sacramento, subject to this chapter. The driver of a motor vehicle or the operator of an autonomous vehicle shall identify on the form, by name and current residence address, if available, any person involved in the accident or incident complaining of bodily injury.
(b)A report is not required under subdivision (a) if the motor vehicle or autonomous vehicle involved in the accident or incident was owned or leased by, or under the direction of, the United States, this state, another state, or a local agency.
(c)If none of the parties involved in an accident or incident has reported the accident or incident to the department under this section within one year following the date of the accident, accident or incident, the department is not required to file a report on the accident or incident and the drivers license suspension requirements of Section 16004 or 16070 do not apply.
(d)For purposes of this section, autonomous vehicle and operator have the same meanings as defined in Section 38750.
SEC. 3.Section 38750 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:38750.(a)For The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1)The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is vested with the authority to develop federal motor vehicle safety standards. Federal motor vehicle safety standards establish minimum performance standards for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment in order to protect the public from unreasonable risk of death, injury, or accidents due to the design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle.
(2)The expansion of autonomous technology in vehicles necessitates state action to ensure the consistency and comprehensiveness of federal and state regulation for the safety and protection of people and roadways.
(b)For purposes of this division, the following definitions apply:
(1)Autonomous technology means technology that has the capability to drive a vehicle equipped with an automated driving system without the active physical control or monitoring by a human operator.
(2)(A)Autonomous vehicle means any vehicle equipped with autonomous technology that has been integrated into that vehicle. an automated driving system.
(B)An autonomous vehicle does not include a vehicle that is equipped with one or more collision avoidance systems, including, but not limited to, electronic blind spot assistance, automated emergency braking systems, park assist, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, traffic jam and queuing assist, or other similar systems that enhance safety or provide driver assistance, but are not capable, collectively or singularly, of driving the vehicle without the active control or monitoring of a human operator.
(3)(A)Automated driving system means hardware and software that is collectively capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task on a sustained basis, regardless of whether the system is limited to a specific operational design domain.
(B)The definition of automated driving system also includes the definitions given for Levels 3, 4, or 5 automated driving systems by SAE Internationals Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms Related to Driving Automation Systems for On-Road Motor Vehicles, standard J3016 published on September 30, 2016.
(4)Dedicated highly automated vehicle means a highly automated vehicle designed to be operated exclusively by a Level 4 or 5 automated driving system for all trips, as defined by the SAE Internationals Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms Related to Driving Automation Systems for On-Road Motor Vehicles, standard J3016 published on September 30, 2016.
(5)(A)Dynamic driving task means all of the real-time functions required to operate a vehicle in on-road traffic, excluding selection of final and intermediate destinations, but including without limitation, all of the following:
(i)Object and event detection, recognition, and classification.
(ii)Object and event response.
(iii)Maneuver planning.
(iv)Steering, turning, lane keeping, and lane changing, including providing the appropriate signal for the lane change or turn maneuver.
(v)Acceleration and deceleration.
(B)The definition of dynamic driving task also includes the definition given for that term by SAE Internationals Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms Related to Driving Automation Systems for On-Road Motor Vehicles, standard J3016 published on September 30, 2016.
(3)(6)Department means the Department of Motor Vehicles.
(4)(7)An operator of an autonomous vehicle is the person who is seated in the drivers seat, or, if there is no person in the drivers seat, causes the autonomous technology to engage.
(5)(8)A manufacturer of autonomous technology is the person as defined in Section 470 that originally manufactures a vehicle and equips autonomous technology on the originally completed vehicle or, in the case of a vehicle not originally equipped with autonomous technology by the vehicle manufacturer, the person that modifies the vehicle by installing autonomous technology to convert it to an autonomous vehicle after the vehicle was originally manufactured.
(b)(c)An autonomous vehicle may be operated on public roads for testing purposes by a driver who possesses the proper class of license for the type of vehicle being operated if all of the following requirements are met:
(1)The autonomous vehicle is being operated on roads in this state solely by employees, contractors, or other persons designated by the manufacturer of the autonomous technology.
(2)The driver shall be seated in the drivers seat, monitoring the safe operation of the autonomous vehicle, and capable of taking over immediate manual control of the autonomous vehicle in the event of an autonomous technology failure or other emergency.
(3)Prior to the start of testing in this state, the manufacturer performing the testing shall obtain an instrument of insurance, surety bond, or proof of self-insurance in the amount of five million dollars ($5,000,000), and shall provide evidence of the insurance, surety bond, or self-insurance to the department in the form and manner required by the department pursuant to the regulations adopted pursuant to subdivision (d). (e).
(c)(d)Except as provided in subdivision (b), (c), an autonomous vehicle shall not be operated on public roads until the manufacturer submits an application to the department, and that application is approved by the department pursuant to the regulations adopted pursuant to subdivision (d). (e). The application shall contain, at a minimum, all of the following certifications:
(1)A certification by the manufacturer that the autonomous technology satisfies all of the following requirements:
(A)The autonomous vehicle has a mechanism to engage and disengage the autonomous technology that is easily accessible to the operator.
(B)The autonomous vehicle has a visual indicator inside the cabin to indicate when the autonomous technology is engaged.
(C)The autonomous vehicle has a system to safely alert the operator if an autonomous technology failure is detected while the autonomous technology is engaged, and when an alert is given, the system shall do either of the following:
(i)Require the operator to take control of the autonomous vehicle.
(ii)If the operator does not or is unable to take control of the autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle shall be capable of coming to a complete stop.
(D)The autonomous vehicle shall allow the operator to take control in multiple manners, including, without limitation, through the use of the brake, the accelerator pedal, or the steering wheel, and it shall alert the operator that the autonomous technology has been disengaged.
(E)The autonomous vehicles autonomous technology meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for the vehicles model year and all other applicable safety standards and performance requirements set forth in state and federal law and the regulations promulgated pursuant to those laws.
(F)The autonomous technology does not make inoperative any Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for the vehicles model year and all other applicable safety standards and performance requirements set forth in state and federal law and the regulations promulgated pursuant to those laws.
(G)The autonomous vehicle has a separate mechanism, in addition to, and separate from, any other mechanism required by law, to capture and store the autonomous technology sensor data for at least 30 seconds before a collision occurs between the autonomous vehicle and another vehicle, object, or natural person while the vehicle is operating in autonomous mode. The autonomous technology sensor data shall be captured and stored in a read-only format by the mechanism so that the data is retained until extracted from the mechanism by an external device capable of downloading and storing the data. The data shall be preserved for three years after the date of the collision.
(2)A certification that the manufacturer has tested the autonomous technology on public roads and has complied with the testing standards, if any, established by the department pursuant to subdivision (d). (e).
(3)A certification that the manufacturer will maintain, an instrument of insurance, a surety bond, or proof of self-insurance as specified in regulations adopted by the department pursuant to subdivision (d), (e), in an amount of five million dollars ($5,000,000).
(d)(e)(1)As soon as practicable, but no later than January 1, 2015, the department shall adopt regulations setting forth requirements for the submission of evidence of insurance, surety bond, or self-insurance required by subdivision (b), (c), and the submission and approval of an application to operate an autonomous vehicle pursuant to subdivision (c). (d).
(2)The regulations shall include any testing, equipment, and performance standards, in addition to those established for purposes of subdivision (b), (c), that the department concludes are necessary to ensure the safe operation of autonomous vehicles on public roads, with or without the presence of a driver inside the vehicle. In developing these regulations, the department may consult with the Department of the California Highway Patrol, the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, or any other entity identified by the department that has expertise in automotive technology, automotive safety, and autonomous system design.
(3)The department may establish additional requirements by the adoption of regulations, which it determines, in consultation with the Department of the California Highway Patrol, are necessary to ensure the safe operation of autonomous vehicles on public roads, including, but not limited to, regulations regarding the aggregate number of deployments of autonomous vehicles on public roads, special rules for the registration of autonomous vehicles, new license requirements for operators of autonomous vehicles, and rules for revocation, suspension, or denial of any license or any approval issued pursuant to this division.
(4)The department shall hold public hearings on the adoption of any regulation applicable to the operation of an autonomous vehicle without the presence of a driver inside the vehicle.
(e)(f)(1)The department shall approve an application submitted by a manufacturer pursuant to subdivision (c) (d) if it finds that the applicant has submitted all information and completed testing necessary to satisfy the department that the autonomous vehicles are safe to operate properly registered, licensed, and insured so that they can be operated safely on public roads and the applicant has complied with all requirements specified in the regulations adopted by the department pursuant to subdivision (d). (e).
(2)Notwithstanding paragraph (1), if the application seeks approval for autonomous vehicles capable of operating without the presence of a driver inside the vehicle, the department may impose additional requirements it deems necessary to ensure the safe operation of those vehicles, and may require the presence of a driver in the drivers seat of the vehicle if it determines, based on its review pursuant to paragraph (1), that such a requirement is necessary to ensure the safe operation of those vehicles on public roads.
(f)(g)The department shall post a public notice on its Internet Web site when it adopts the regulations required by subdivision (d). (e). The department shall not approve an application submitted pursuant to the regulations until 30 days after the public notice is provided.
(g)(h)Federal regulations promulgated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration pursuant to the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1381 et seq.) and the Highway Safety Act of 1966 (23 U.S.C. Sec. 401 et seq.) shall supersede the provisions of this division when found to be in conflict with any other state law or regulation.
(h)(i)The manufacturer of the autonomous technology installed on a vehicle shall provide a written disclosure to the purchaser of an autonomous vehicle that describes what information is collected by the autonomous technology equipped on the vehicle. The department may promulgate regulations to assess a fee upon a manufacturer that submits an application pursuant to subdivision (c) (d) to operate autonomous vehicles on public roads in an amount necessary to recover all costs reasonably incurred by the department.
SEC. 3.SEC. 4.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
A traffic collision report prepared by a member of the Department of the California Highway Patrol or any other peace officer shall specify if an autonomous vehicle was involved in the traffic collision in any manner.
SEC. 2.Section 16000 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:16000.(a)The driver of a motor vehicle or the operator of an autonomous vehicle who is in any manner involved in an accident originating from the operation of the motor vehicle or autonomous vehicle on a street or highway, or is involved in a reportable off-highway accident, as defined in Section 16000.1, that has resulted in damage to the property of any one person in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000), or in bodily injury, or in the death of any person shall report the accident, within 10 days after the accident, either personally or through an insurance agent, broker, or legal representative, on a form approved by the department, to the office of the department at Sacramento, subject to this chapter. The driver or the operator of an autonomous vehicle shall identify on the form, by name and current residence address, if available, any person involved in the accident complaining of bodily injury.
(b)A report is not required under subdivision (a) if the motor vehicle involved in the accident was owned or leased by, or under the direction of, the United States, this state, another state, or a local agency.
(c)If none of the parties involved in an accident has reported the accident to the department under this section within one year following the date of the accident, the department is not required to file a report on the accident and the drivers license suspension requirements of Section 16004 or 16070 do not apply.
(d)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2017.(d)For purposes of this section, autonomous vehicle and operator have the same meanings as defined in Section 38750.
SEC. 3.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
A traffic collision report prepared by a member of the Department of the California Highway Patrol or any other peace officer shall specify if an autonomous vehicle was involved in the traffic collision in any manner.
SEC. 2.Section 16000 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:16000.(a)The driver of a motor vehicle or the operator of an autonomous vehicle who is in any manner involved in an accident originating from the operation of the motor vehicle or autonomous vehicle on a street or highway, or is involved in a reportable off-highway accident, as defined in Section 16000.1, that has resulted in damage to the property of any one person in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000), or in bodily injury, or in the death of any person shall report the accident, within 10 days after the accident, either personally or through an insurance agent, broker, or legal representative, on a form approved by the department, to the office of the department at Sacramento, subject to this chapter. The driver shall identify on the form, by name and current residence address, if available, any person involved in the accident complaining of bodily injury.
(b)A report is not required under subdivision (a) if the motor vehicle involved in the accident was owned or leased by, or under the direction of, the United States, this state, another state, or a local agency.
(c)If none of the parties involved in an accident has reported the accident to the department under this section within one year following the date of the accident, the department is not required to file a report on the accident and the drivers license suspension requirements of Section 16004 or 16070 do not apply.
(d)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2017.
SEC. 2.SEC. 3.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
(a)Notwithstanding any other law, an accident involving operation of an autonomous vehicle that results in catastrophic bodily injury or the death of a person shall be reported to the department within 24 hours of occurrence.
(b)The department shall suspend the approval granted to the manufacturer of the autonomous vehicle under Section 38750 for five business days following the reporting of an accident pursuant to subdivision (a). During the five-day period, the department and any other appropriate agency, including, but not limited to, the Department of the California Highway Patrol and local law enforcement, shall review the accident to determine if it was caused by a failure of the autonomous vehicle technology.
(c)If it is determined pursuant to subdivision (b) that an accident was caused by technological failure, the department may revoke the manufacturers approval until the manufacturer provides the department and other appropriate agencies with evidence that the safety hazard has been resolved.
SEC. 2.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
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Date
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Status
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|---|---|
| Jun 20, 2018 | Re-referred to Com. on T. & H. |
| Jun 14, 2018 | Withdrawn from committee. |
| Jun 13, 2018 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Jul 13, 2017 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author. |
| Jul 5, 2017 | Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Jul 3, 2017 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (June 27). |
| Jun 8, 2017 | Referred to Com. on T. & H. |
| May 30, 2017 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| May 30, 2017 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 1824.) |
| May 26, 2017 | From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 17. Noes 0.) (May 26). |
| May 10, 2017 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| Apr 27, 2017 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 26). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Apr 18, 2017 | Re-referred to Com. on TRANS. |
| Apr 17, 2017 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. Read second time and amended. |
| Mar 2, 2017 | Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and C. & C. |
| Feb 15, 2017 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 17. |
| Feb 14, 2017 | Read first time. To print. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 27, 2017 | Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Senate Standing Committee on Transportation and Housing |
Passed |
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| May 30, 2017 | AB 623 RODRIGUEZ Assembly Third Reading | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
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| May 26, 2017 | Do pass. | Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
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| Apr 26, 2017 | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Assembly Standing Committee on Communications and Conveyance |
Passed |
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| Apr 17, 2017 | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Communications and Conveyance] | Assembly Standing Committee on Transportation |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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|---|---|---|
| ACIC | ** Support | Jun 22, 2017 |
| Amalgamated Transit Union | * For If Amend | Apr 17, 2017 |
| American Insurance Association | ** Support | Jun 22, 2017 |
| California Delivery Association | ** Support | Jun 22, 2017 |
| National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies | ** Support | Jun 22, 2017 |
| Personal Insurance Federation Of California | ** Support | Jun 22, 2017 |
| Technet | ** Against | Apr 14, 2017 |
Date of Hearing: April 26, 2017
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS AND CONVEYANCE
Miguel Santiago, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 623 (
Author:Rodriguez) – As Amended Ver:April 17, 2017
SUBJECT: Autonomous vehicles: accident reporting
SUMMARY: Requires the operator of an autonomous vehicle (AV) to follow existing motor vehicle accident reporting requirements, and requires the California Highway Patrol (CHP) or any other peace officer to specify an AV was involved in the traffic collision in any manner.
EXISTING LAW:
- Authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to suspend, cancel, or revoke the registration of a vehicle or a certificate of ownership, registration card, license plate, or permit under specified circumstances, including when DMV determines that a registered vehicle is mechanically unfit or unsafe to be operated or moved upon the highways. (Vehicle Code (VEH) Section 8800)
- Requires CHP to prepare and on request supply to police departments, coroners, sheriffs, and other suitable agencies or individuals, specified forms for accident reports, which reports shall call for sufficiently detailed information to disclose with reference to a traffic accident the cause, conditions then existing, and the persons and vehicles involved. (VEH Section 2407)
- Requires CHP to tabulate and authorizes it to analyze all accident reports and publish annually or at more frequent intervals statistical information based thereon as to the number and location of traffic accidents, as well as other information relating to traffic accident prevention. (VEH Section 2408)
- Requires the driver of a motor vehicle who is in any manner involved in an accident originating from the operation of the motor vehicle on a street or highway, or is involved in a specified reportable off-highway accident, that has resulted in damage to the property of any one person in excess of $1,000, or in bodily injury, or in the death of any person to report the accident, within 10 days after the accident, either personally or through an insurance agent, broker, or legal representative, on a form approved by CHP, as specified. (VEH Section 16000)
- Defines “autonomous vehicle” to mean any vehicle equipped with autonomous technology that has been integrated into that vehicle. Specifies that a AV does not include a vehicle that is equipped with one or more collision avoidance systems, including, but not limited to, electronic blind spot assistance, automated emergency braking systems, park assist, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, traffic jam and queuing assist, or other similar systems that enhance safety or provide driver assistance, but are not capable, collectively or singularly, of driving the vehicle without the active control or monitoring of a human operator. (VEH Section 38750)
- Authorizes an AV to operate on public roads for testing purposes by a driver who possesses the proper class of license for the type of vehicle being operated if specified requirements are met. (VEH Section 38750)
- Prohibits an AV from operating on public roads until the manufacturer submits an application to DMV, and that application is approved by DMV pursuant to the specified regulations adopted by DMV. (VEH Section 38750)
- Requires DMV, as soon as practicable, but no later than January 1, 2015, to adopt regulations setting forth requirements for the specified submission of evidence of insurance, surety bond, or self-insurance, and the submission and approval of an application to operate an specified AV. (VEH Section 38750)
- Requires DMV’s AV regulations to include any testing, equipment, and performance standards, in addition to those established, as specified, that DMV concludes are necessary to ensure the safe operation of AVs on public roads, with or without the presence of a driver inside the vehicle. (VEH Section 38750)
- Requires DMV to approve an application submitted by a manufacturer, as specified, if it finds that the applicant has submitted all information and completed testing necessary to satisfy DMV that the AVs are safe to operate on public roads and the applicant has complied with all requirements specified in the specified regulations adopted by the department. (VEH Section 38750)
- Authorizes DMV, for an application seeking approval for AVs capable of operating without the presence of a driver inside the vehicle, to impose additional requirements it deems necessary to ensure the safe operation of those vehicles, and may require the presence of a driver in the driver’s seat of the vehicle if it determines, based on its specified review, that such a requirement is necessary to ensure the safe operation of those vehicles on public roads. (VEH Section 38750)
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown. This bill is keyed fiscal by Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS:
- Authors Statement: According to the author, “Our State and the economy are experiencing incredible innovation and technological advances that have the potential to leave us safer and more efficient. With bold action and rapid development must come safeguards to ensure that the very people who will benefit from this technology in the future are not the ones injured in its deployment. AB 623 gathers important information on when an autonomous vehicle is involved in an accident to help ensure public safety is not at risk.”
- Background: California law regulates different modes of passenger transportation for compensation. The California Public Utilities Commission is responsible for the permitting and regulation of passenger carriers, such as shuttles and tour buses, as well as limousines and households good carriers. The DMV is responsible for the registration of motor vehicles and CHP is responsible for certain vehicle inspections and patrol over California highways.
Over the past few years, California has seen the rapid development of automotive technology. This means that within the next decade, partially and fully automated vehicles are nearing a point in which widespread deployment becomes a reality. Deployment of AVs has the potential to transform personal mobility and safety. In 2015, over 35,000 people died on US roadways, of those, 94% of crashes can be tied to human error. Automated driving has the potential to decrease the number of crashes tied to human choices and behavior. In addition, AVs opens new doors and opportunities for a new class of people and communities, such as people with disabilities, the elderly, or low-income. AVs have the potential to transform how cities, and the state, think about urban planning and public transit, as well as energy use and pollution.
Although, the rise of new technology is inevitable, in order for the state to keep pace, society must find a balance between the development of emerging technology and the unknown socioeconomic impacts and safety concerns. Essential to safe deployment and reassuring the public about the impact of AVs is rigorous testing conducted in collaboration between the public and private sector to ensure that sufficient data is available to determine safe performance in order for policymakers to make informed decisions over the speed of which AVs are deployed on our public roads.
- DMV Autonomous Vehicle Regulations: In 2012, the Legislature passed SB 1298 (Padilla) Chapter 570, Statutes of 2012, which established conditions for the operation of AVs upon public roadways. SB 1298 required DMV to adopt regulations for the operation of AVs by January 1, 2015. The DMV rolled out its regulation in two stages. In the first stage, DMV established regulations for insurance requirements for the purposes of testing AVs , while stage two established regulations for the full deployment of AVs for non-testing purposes. Although, DMV adopted testing regulations by May 2014, it is still finalizing regulations for non-testing purposes. The DMV has submitted proposed regulations for non-testing purposes in March 2017 for public comment. The DMV anticipates adopting finalized regulations before the end of 2017. The final regulations will not take effect for 120 days after they have been adopted.
- Vehicle Accident Reporting: The CHP prepares a standard accident reporting form used by law enforcement agencies throughout California known as CHP 555 or the Traffic Collision Report. The form requires extensive information regarding a vehicles accident, including the location of the accident, weather conditions, characteristics of the vehicles involved, parties involved, and factors such as sobriety or inattention affecting the parties involved. The CHP tabulates and may use the information to analyze and publish statistical information on the number and location of traffic accidents, as well as other information relating to traffic accident prevention.
While the current DMV regulations required accident reporting for AVs being operated for testing purposes, it does not include them for AVs being operated for non-testing purposes.
This bill requires the operator of an AV to follow existing motor vehicle accident reporting requirements, and requires CHP or any other peace officer to specify an AV was involved in the traffic collision in its accident reports.
It is unclear whether or not CHP can use its existing CHP 555 form for the AV accident reporting required under this bill or if CHP would be required to develop new or additional forms.
- Related Legislation: AB 87 (Ting) of 2017 requires DMV to revoke the registration for the vehicle if it determines that an AV is being operated in violation of specified requirements. Status: Pending in the Assembly Committee on Transportation.
AB 399 (Grayson) of 2017 authorizes the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to conduct a pilot project for the testing of AVs that do not have a driver seated in the driver’s seat and are not equipped with a steering wheel, a brake pedal, or an accelerator if the testing is conducted only at specified locations and the AV operates at speeds of less than 35 miles per hour, for an additional 12 months. Status: Pending in the Assembly Committee on Transportation.
AB 1141 (Berman) of 2017 require DMV, to adopt regulations, in consultation with the Department of Transportation and CHP, setting forth standards for the testing of AVs used to transport freight by September 30, 2018. Status: Pending in the Assembly Committee on Communications and Conveyance.
AB 1160 (Bonta) of 2017 expands the definition of AV to also include any vehicle equipped with technology that makes it capable of operation that meets the definitions of Levels 3, 4, or 5 of the Society of Automotive Engineers’ “Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms Related to On-Road Motor Vehicle Automated Driving Systems, Standard J3016.” Status: Pending in the Assembly Committee on Communications and Conveyance.
AB 1444 (Baker) of 2017 authorizes the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority to conduct a demonstration project for the testing of autonomous vehicles without a driver in the driver’s seat under specific conditions. Status: Pending in the Assembly Committee on Communications and Conveyance.
SB 251 (Cannella) of 2017 authorizes the County of Merced to conduct a pilot project for the testing of AVs without a driver in the driver’s seat under specified conditions. Status: Pending in the Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing.
- Prior Legislation: SB 1298 (Padilla) of 2012 establishes conditions for the operation of AVs upon public roadways. Status: Chaptered by the Secretary of State, Chapter 570, Statutes of 2012.
AB 770 (Nakano) of 2001 requires any collision report prepared by CHP, or any other peace officer, to include specified information. Status: Chaptered by the Secretary of State, Chapter 710, Statutes of 2001.
- Double-referral: This bill is double referred, having been previously heard by the Assembly Committee on Transportation on April 17, 2017 and approved on a 13-0 vote.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None on file.
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by: Edmond Cheung / C. & C. / (916) 319-2637
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING
Senator Jim Beall, Chair
2017 - 2018 Regular
Bill No: Hearing Date: 6/27/2017
Author: | Rodriguez | ||
Version: | 4/17/2017 | ||
Urgency: | No | Fiscal: | Yes |
Consultant: | Randy Chinn | ||
SUBJECT: .
DIGEST: This bill requires the operator of an autonomous vehicle (AV) to follow existing motor vehicle accident reporting requirements, and requires the California Highway Patrol (CHP) or any other peace officer to specify an AV was involved in the traffic collision in any manner.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Requires CHP to prepare and supply to police departments, coroners, sheriffs, and other suitable agencies or individuals, specified forms for accident reports.
- Requires CHP to tabulate and authorizes it to analyze all accident reports and publish annually or at more frequent intervals statistical information based thereon as to the number and location of traffic accidents, as well as other information relating to traffic accident prevention.
- Requires the driver of a motor vehicle who is in any manner involved in an accident originating from the operation of the motor vehicle on a street or highway, or is involved in a specified reportable off-highway accident, that has resulted in damage to the property of any one person in excess of $1,000, or in bodily injury, or in the death of any person to report the accident, within 10 days after the accident, either personally or through an insurance agent, broker, or legal representative, on a form approved by CHP, as specified.
- Requires DMV, as soon as practicable, but no later than January 1, 2015, to adopt regulations setting forth requirements for the specified submission of evidence of insurance, surety bond, or self-insurance, and the submission and approval of an application to operate AVs.
- Requires DMV’s AV regulations to include any testing, equipment, and performance standards, in addition to those established, as specified, that DMV concludes are necessary to ensure the safe operation of AVs on public roads, with or without the presence of a driver inside the vehicle.
- Authorizes DMV, for an application seeking approval for AVs capable of operating without the presence of a driver inside the vehicle, to impose additional requirements it deems necessary to ensure the safe operation of those vehicles, and may require the presence of a driver in the driver’s seat of the vehicle if it determines, based on its specified review, that such a requirement is necessary to ensure the safe operation of those vehicles on public roads.
This bill:
- Requires that a traffic collision report filed by the CHP or any other peace officer specify if an AV was involved in the collision.
- Requires the operator of an AV to report an accident in the same way that a driver of automobile that is not an AV reports an accident.
COMMENTS:
- Purpose. The author introduced this bill to gather important information when an AV is involved in an accident to help ensure public safety is not at risk.
- Updating the Form. In order to indicate when an AV is involved in a collision, the CHP will have to update its accident reporting form. This form, known as the CHP 555, is the standard accident report form used by all public safety jurisdictions in California. The form has fields for information regarding the drivers, vehicles, and specifics about the accident. This bill will cause the CHP to add a field for indicating whether any of the vehicles were AVs.
- Ghost Operator. This bill is intended to make clear that when an AV is involved in an accident, someone is responsible for reporting that accident to the DMV. The bill uses the term “operator”. But when no one is driving the AV, who is the operator? It might be clearer to instead use the term “owner”. The author will accept an amendment to replace “operator” with “owner” and to insert “or owner” on page 3, line 32 of the bill after “driver”.
Related Legislation:
- AB 1444 (Baker) of 2017 authorizes the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority to conduct a demonstration project for the testing of autonomous vehicles without a driver in the driver’s seat under specified conditions. This bill is pending in the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee.
- AB 1160 (Bonta) of 2017 expands the definition of AV to also include any vehicle equipped with technology that makes it capable of operation that meets the definitions of Levels 3, 4, or 5 of the Society of Automotive Engineers’ “Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms Related to On-Road Motor Vehicle Automated Driving Systems, Standard J3016.” This bill is pending in the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee.
- AB 1592 (Bonilla) of 2016 authorizes Contra Costa Transportation Authority to conduct a pilot project for the testing of AVs under specific conditions. This bill has been chaptered by the Secretary of State, Chapter 814, Statutes of 2016.
- AB 1298 (Padilla) of 2012 establishes conditions for the operation of AVs upon public roadways. Status: This bill has been chaptered by the Secretary of State, Chapter 570, Statutes of 2012.
Assembly votes:
Floor: 77-0
Appropriations: 17-0
Communications and Conveyance: 12-0
Transportation: 13-0
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: Yes
POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on Wednesday,
June 21, 2017.)
SUPPORT:
ACIC
American Insurance Association
California Delivery Association
Personal Insurance Federation of California
National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies
OPPOSITION:
None received.
-- END --
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
ATR Bill Id:AB 623
Author:(Rodriguez)
As Amended Ver:April 17, 2017
Majority vote
Committee | Votes | Ayes | Noes |
Transportation | 13-0 | Frazier, Fong, Aguiar-Curry, Baker, Berman, Bocanegra, Chu, Daly, Friedman, Harper, Medina, Nazarian, O'Donnell | |
Communications | 12-0 | Santiago, Obernolte, Cervantes, Dababneh, Eduardo Garcia, Holden, Lackey, Low, Maienschein, Patterson, Rodriguez, Wood | |
Appropriations | 17-0 | Gonzalez Fletcher, Bigelow, Bloom, Bocanegra, Bonta, Brough, Calderon, McCarty, Quirk, Fong, Friedman, Gallagher, Eduardo Garcia, Gray, Muratsuchi, Obernolte, Reyes |
|
SUMMARY: Clarifies that existing accident reporting requirements also apply to autonomous vehicles, and requires any accident report prepared by a member of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) or any other peace officer to specify if an autonomous vehicle was involved in the traffic collision, as specified.
EXISTING LAW:
- Authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to suspend, cancel, or revoke the registration of a vehicle under specified circumstances, including when DMV determines that a registered vehicle is mechanically unfit or unsafe to be operated or moved upon a highway.
- Requires CHP to prepare and supply to police departments, coroners, sheriffs, and other suitable agencies or individuals, forms for accident reports required elsewhere under existing law, and requires the reports to call for sufficiently detailed information to disclose the cause, conditions, persons, and vehicles involved in the accident being reported, as specified.
- Requires CHP to tabulate all accident reports and public statistical information based upon the reports, as specified.
- Prohibits the operation of autonomous vehicles on public roads for non-testing purposes unless the manufacturer of the vehicles submits an application to DMV that is approved pursuant to DMV regulations.
- Authorizes DMV's regulations to include requirements that the department determines to be necessary to the safe operation of autonomous vehicles on public roads, including, but not limited to, special rules for the registration of autonomous vehicles and rules for the revocation, suspension, or denial of any license or approval granted by DMV.
- Requires DMV to approve an application submitted by a manufacturer for the operation of autonomous vehicles for non-testing purposes if DMV finds that the applicant has submitted all information and completed testing necessary to satisfy DMV that the autonomous vehicles are safe to operate on public roads and the applicant has complied with all requirements specified in DMV regulations.
FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee:
- One-time costs of $300,000 (Motor Vehicle Account) for CHP to modify the department's accident report form, make corresponding information technology system changes, and update the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System to collect the applicable data.
- Unknown costs if the Commission on State Mandates were to find that the requirements of this bill to be a state reimbursable mandate. For example, there are about 450 local law enforcement agencies in the state that report on traffic accidents. If it cost each of these agencies $5,000 to comply with the requirements, the cost of the potential mandate would be $2.25 million.
COMMENTS: In response to arguments for the traffic safety benefits of increasingly automated vehicle technology, the Legislature passed and Governor Brown signed legislation requiring DMV to adopt regulations for the operation of autonomous vehicles on California's public roads in 2012 [SB 1298 (Padilla), Chapter 570, Statutes of 2012]. The rollout of DMV's regulations was separated into two stages: regulations for insurance requirements for the purposes of testing autonomous vehicles and regulations for the full deployment of autonomous vehicles on California roads for non-testing purposes. Both sets of regulations were required to be adopted by January 1, 2015. DMV adopted testing regulations on May 19, 2014, and submitted proposed regulations for non-testing purposes for public comment on March 10, 2017. The public comment period will end on April 24, 2017, and DMV anticipates adopting finalized regulations before the end of 2017.
While DMV's proposed regulations create an accident reporting requirement for autonomous vehicles being operated for testing purposes, they do not include accidents involving autonomous vehicles being operated for non-testing purposes.
Under existing law, CHP prepares a standard accident report used by law enforcement agencies throughout California: the CHP 555. The form contains extensive information, such as the location of the accident and weather conditions, characteristics of the vehicles and parties involved, and factors such as sobriety or inattention affecting the parties involved. This information is tabulated by CHP and used in statistical analysis.
This bill would require that the form also to include whether or not an autonomous vehicle was involved in an accident. Because existing law only requires drivers of vehicles to report accidents they are involved in, this bill would also clarify that that requirement extends to operators of autonomous vehicles – who may not be driving the vehicle in an accident – as well. These changes would allow law enforcement and DMV to gain a better understanding of how autonomous vehicles affect traffic safety as they are deployed and become more widespread in California
Please see the policy committee analysis for full discussion of this bill.
Analysis Prepared by: Justin Behrens / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093 FN: 0000734
Date of Hearing: May 10, 2017
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 623
Author:(Rodriguez) – As Amended Ver:April 17, 2017
Policy Committee: | Transportation | Vote: | 13 - 0 |
Communications and Conveyance | 12 - 0 | ||
|
|
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: Yes
SUMMARY:
This bill clarifies that existing accident reporting requirements also apply to autonomous vehicles, and requires any accident report prepared by a member of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) or any other peace officer to specify if an autonomous vehicle (AV) was involved in the traffic collision.
FISCAL EFFECT:
- One-time costs of $300,000 (Motor Vehicle Account) for CHP to modify the department’s accident report form, make corresponding information technology system changes, and update the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) to collect the applicable data.
- Unknown costs if the Commission on State Mandates were to find that the requirements of this bill to be a state reimbursable mandate. For example, there are about 450 local law enforcement agencies in the state that report on traffic accidents. If it cost each of these agencies $5,000 to comply with the requirements, the cost of the potential mandate would be $2.25 million.
COMMENTS:
- Background. Existing law only requires vehicle accident reporting related to vehicles operated by drivers. CHP has developed a standardized accident report for use by CHP and local law enforcement. Information reported on traffic accidents is collected in SWITRS, a statewide database for traffic-related data. Currently, the CHP accident form, SWITRS, and other associated systems used by CHP and local law enforcement for the reporting of traffic accidents do not have a designated field to capture data about whether a vehicle involved in an accident is an AV.
- Purpose. According to the author, this bill would clarify that that requirement to report on accidents extends to operators of AVs—who may not be driving the vehicle in an accident. This bill also requires an accident report to note whether an AV was involved in the accident. These changes would allow law enforcement and DMV to gain a better understanding of how AVs affect traffic safety as they are deployed and become more widespread in California.
Analysis Prepared by: Jessica Peters / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
Date of Hearing: April 17, 2017
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Jim Frazier, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 623 (
Author:Rodriguez) – As Amended Ver:April 17, 2017
SUBJECT: Autonomous vehicle testing: accident reporting
SUMMARY: Clarifies that existing accident reporting requirements also apply to autonomous vehicles, and requires any accident report prepared by a member of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) or any other peace officer to specify if an autonomous vehicle was involved in the traffic collision, as specified.
EXISTING LAW:
- Authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to suspend, cancel, or revoke the registration of a vehicle under specified circumstances, including when DMV determines that a registered vehicle is mechanically unfit or unsafe to be operated or moved upon a highway.
- Requires CHP to prepare and supply to police departments, coroners, sheriffs, and other suitable agencies or individuals, forms for accident reports required elsewhere under existing law, and requires the reports to call for sufficiently detailed information to disclose the cause, conditions, persons, and vehicles involved in the accident being reported, as specified.
- Requires CHP to tabulate all accident reports and public statistical information based upon the reports, as specified.
- Requires the driver of a motor vehicle who is in any manner involved in an accident originating from the operation of the motor vehicle on a street or highway that has resulted in property damage in excess of $1,000, bodily injury, or in the death of any person, to report the accident within 10 days to DMV, as specified.
- Authorizes the operation of autonomous vehicles on public roads for testing purposes under certain circumstances specified in regulations adopted by DMV.
- Prohibits the operation of autonomous vehicles on public roads for non-testing purposes unless the manufacturer of the vehicles submits an application to DMV that is approved pursuant to DMV regulations.
- Requires DMV, by January 1, 2015, to adopt regulations setting forth requirements for the application to operate autonomous vehicles on public roads for non-testing purposes.
- Authorizes DMV’s regulations to include requirements that the department determines to be necessary to the safe operation of autonomous vehicles on public roads, including, but not limited to, special rules for the registration of autonomous vehicles and rules for the revocation, suspension, or denial of any license or approval granted by DMV.
- Requires DMV to approve an application submitted by a manufacturer for the operation of autonomous vehicles for non-testing purposes if DMV finds that the applicant has submitted all information and completed testing necessary to satisfy DMV that the autonomous vehicles are safe to operate on public roads and the applicant has complied with all requirements specified in DMV regulations.
- Authorizes DMV to impose additional requirements it deems necessary to ensure the safe operation of autonomous vehicles if those vehicles are capable of operating without the presence of a driver inside the vehicle, including the presence of a driver in the driver’s seat of the vehicle, if DMV determines that such a requirement is necessary to ensure the safe operation of those vehicles on public roads.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown
COMMENTS: In response to arguments for the traffic safety benefits of increasingly automated vehicle technology, the Legislature passed and Governor Brown signed legislation requiring DMV to adopt regulations for the operation of autonomous vehicles on California’s public roads in 2012 [SB 1298 (Padilla), Chapter 570, Statutes of 2012]. The rollout of DMV’s regulations was separated into two stages: regulations for insurance requirements for the purposes of testing autonomous vehicles and regulations for the full deployment of autonomous vehicles on California roads for non-testing purposes. Both sets of regulations were required to be adopted by January 1, 2015. DMV adopted testing regulations on May 19, 2014, and submitted proposed regulations for non-testing purposes for public comment on March 10, 2017. The public comment period will end on April 24, 2017, and DMV anticipates adopting finalized regulations before the end of 2017.
While DMV’s proposed regulations create an accident reporting requirement for autonomous vehicles being operated for testing purposes, they do not include accidents involving autonomous vehicles being operated for non-testing purposes.
Under existing law, CHP prepares a standard accident report used by law enforcement agencies throughout California: the CHP 555. The form contains extensive information, such as the location of the accident and weather conditions, characteristics of the vehicles and parties involved, and factors such as sobriety or inattention affecting the parties involved. This information is tabulated by CHP and used in statistical analysis.
This bill would require that the form also to include whether or not an autonomous vehicle was involved in an accident. Because existing law only requires drivers of vehicles to report accidents they are involved in, this bill would also clarify that that requirement extends to operators of autonomous vehicles – who may not be driving the vehicle in an accident – as well. These changes would allow law enforcement and DMV to gain a better understanding of how autonomous vehicles affect traffic safety as they are deployed and become more widespread in California
Double referral: This bill will be referred to the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee should it pass out of this committee.
Previous legislation: AB 770 (Nakano), Chapter 710, Statutes of 2001, required any collision report prepared by a member of CHP, or any other peace officer, include information as to whether a cellular telephone or any other distraction was a possible contributing factor to the collision.
SB 1298 (Padilla), Chapter 570, Statutes of 2012, established conditions for the operation of autonomous vehicles upon public roadways.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
California Delivery Association
Opposition
TechNet (February 14, 2017 version of the bill)
Analysis Prepared by: Justin Behrens / TRANS. /
Discussed in Hearing
1MIN
Assembly Floor
1H
Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
2MIN
Assembly Standing Committee on Communications and Conveyance
4MIN
Assembly Standing Committee on Transportation
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):