Waymo Implores NHTSA to Remove AV Barriers

Aug. 30, 2019—Waymo on Thursday urged the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to remove regulatory barriers for cars without steering wheels and brake pedals, reported Reuters.

Currently, automakers must meet nearly 75 auto safety standards for self-driving cars.

NHTSA should first work on addressing those safety standards that assume a human is behind the wheel before revising rules to address alternative seating configurations, Waymo said.

NHTSA does not plan to begin writing rules on seating positions until March 2020. That involves revising crashworthiness standards to address occupants faced to the rear or side in fully self-driving cars.