Rep. Kevin Mullin Introduces Bill for Federal Safety Standards on Autonomous Vehicles
Rep. Kevin Mullin, a Democrat from San Mateo, California, has introduced a bill aimed at establishing minimum federal safety standards for autonomous vehicles, commonly referred to as robotaxis. The legislation is supported by notable Bay Area figures, including Mayor Daniel Lurie. Despite evidence suggesting that autonomous vehicles are safer than those driven by humans, public skepticism remains high. A recent Pew survey indicated that 71% of Americans are uncomfortable with the idea of riding in an autonomous vehicle. The bill seeks to address these concerns by directing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to implement safety standards for interactions between autonomous vehicle fleets and emergency services. It also mandates a 24/7 hotline for public safety officials to report incidents and allows local governments to restrict AV access during emergencies. While industry leaders like Waymo have expressed support for federal standards, they have not yet taken a position on Mullin's specif... 
