Amy Witherite calls for driverless truck regulations in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona

Attorney Amy Witherite, founder of the Witherite Law Group, is advocating for regulations on driverless trucks in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. A recent public opinion poll revealed that 86% of respondents are concerned about sharing the road with these vehicles, which are set to operate on major highways. Witherite highlights the lack of regulations for driverless trucks compared to student drivers, who must pass tests to ensure safety. She emphasizes that the responsibility for safety is currently placed on trucking companies and manufacturers, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Witherite points out that local public safety agencies are unprepared for the deployment of autonomous trucks, lacking training and protocols to handle them. This lack of preparation could lead to dangerous situations on the roads. The risks associated with driverless trucks include sensor failures, software corruption, and equipment malfunctions, which could result in life-threatening incidents. Witherite draws parallels to aviation, where automation is designed to return control to human pilots when issues arise. In Texas, the statistics are alarming, with the state recording the highest number of fatalities involving commercial trucks. In 2022 alone, there were nearly 4,500 traffic fatalities and almost 19,000 serious injuries, highlighting the urgent need for regulations to ensure public safety as driverless technology becomes more prevalent.