WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 3 – The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit held a hearing yesterday entitled “The Road Ahead for Automated Vehicles.” During the hearing, subcommittee members and witnesses discussed the impact of automated vehicle deployment on mobility, safety, infrastructure, workforce and the economy.

The Automotive Service Association (ASA), in partnership with other members of the American Alliance for Vehicle Owners’ Rights (AAVOR) submitted a statement to the subcommittee before this hearing. In addition to ASA, the statement was signed by other members of AAVOR, including the American Car Rental Association (ACRA), the Tire Industry Association (TIA), the American Property and Casualty Insurance Association, and more.

This statement reaffirms ASA’s support of vehicle data access rights for vehicle owners and third-party repairs, not only for the autonomous vehicles of the future, but for all vehicles on the roads today.

During the hearing, Congressman Pete Stauber (R-MN) asked witnesses to comment on the future repairs of these in-use autonomous vehicles, saying, “I also recognize that increased automation introduces new risk factors for folks that we do not understand yet, such as sensor, camera or software problems. Because of this, diagnosing damage to a vehicle, determining liability, and the completion of police reports will increasingly rely on the data that a vehicle generates before, during, and after an incident.”

Witness Ariel Wolf, general counsel for the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, spoke to several ways that autonomous vehicle companies are engaging in information sharing. Currently, autonomous vehicle companies are responding to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) order that requires them to share information regarding autonomous vehicle crashes. Additionally, autonomous vehicle companies have released safety self-assessments that examine the safety of the technology and its information-sharing capabilities.  

Wolf also discussed how autonomous vehicles participating in a voluntary initiative with NHTSA provide information about the location and the parameters of testing autonomous vehicles on public and private roadways. ASA is currently tracking legislation in Pennsylvania, SB 965, that would allow companies to test self-driving vehicles on Pennsylvania highways without a driver available to take over in an emergency.

ASA supports this legislation with the inclusion of vehicle safety inspection provisions and is urging shops to contact their state legislators using this link to urge them to assure existing vehicle safety inspection laws apply to autonomous vehicles.

Watch the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee hearing here.

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is the strongest, most established trade association committed to protecting our industry with ONE VOICE. There is strength in numbers, so join our efforts to advance professionalism and excellence through education, representation and member services. With your support and membership, we can elevate and strengthen independent facilities and their teams. To learn more about ASA and membership, visit ASAshop.org or call 817.514.2901.