The United States stands at the precipice of a new golden age of transportation: the dawn of the autonomous vehicle era. AVs are already proving their worth, making our roads safer, improving supply chains, and increasing accessibility for people with disabilities and the elderly. Yet despite these undeniable opportunities, Washington has stalled in providing a clear regulatory road map. This is creating uncertainty that threatens to unseat American leadership in this key industry for the future.
President Donald Trump, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and Congress can fix things.
The AV industry has released Securing American Leadership in Autonomous Vehicles, a set of actionable policy proposals to support autonomous innovation. Without federal action on AV policy, states have filled the void by enacting their own laws. To date, 25 states covering 56% of the U.S. population have enacted AV deployment laws, demonstrating excitement for this technology. These state laws are a welcome trend, but transportation is emphatically interstate: only the federal government can implement policies that speak to the vehicle’s design, construction, and performance. With bold action at the federal level in these areas, America will be in the driver’s seat on autonomous technology.
Federal policy on AVs will help solve one of our nation’s most vexing problems: persistent traffic fatalities. In 2023 alone, 41,000 people died in car crashes — equivalent to a sold-out crowd at nationals park in D.C. every single year. This tragedy is overwhelmingly caused by human error, such as distracted or impaired driving. Unlike human drivers, AVs don’t drive impaired or distracted. The vehicles perform all elements of the driving task and are designed to follow traffic laws, maintain safe speeds, and have 360-degree visibility of the world around them. It is no wonder Duffy recently said AVs are a “wonderful technology that has the potential of making roads safer.”
Autonomous vehicles are producing real-world data that demonstrate their remarkable safety record. AVs have driven more than 70 million miles on public roads across the U.S. — more than 293 round trips to the Moon. What was once science fiction is now a commercialized technology, with leading companies deploying robotaxis and autonomous trucks today.
While the safety benefits of AVs justify swift action, there are even more opportunities for this technology to benefit our nation. AVs will also be crucial in bolstering our supply chains and getting goods to market. The U.S. faces a puzzle: government data show we must move 50% more freight by 2050 as the economy grows. But we must do that with a massive truck driver shortage that will likely worsen. Autonomous trucks will augment human truck drivers and provide another tool to keep our shelves stocked while creating thousands of new jobs across skill and education levels.
The private sector has demonstrated its willingness to invest billions of dollars into technological progress that creates jobs. However, we need a federal partner that recognizes the need to modernize motor vehicle rules to pave the way for American leadership on autonomous vehicles.
Lastly, AVs are making it easier for many to navigate their communities like never before. By reimagining vehicle design, we can better serve those with disabilities and elderly populations. My 94-year-old grandmother lost her independence because of her inability to drive, but she has not lost her desire to see friends and loved ones. AVs can provide a reliable, inclusive transportation solution that gives her and others the freedom to navigate the world safely without the risk of discrimination.
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The U.S. pioneered autonomous technology, but China and other nations are advancing with aggressive investment and regulatory support. Without swift federal action, America risks losing its competitive edge in this industry. Secretary Duffy said, “We need clear rules that allow innovators to stay in America and develop products that are going to advance autonomous vehicles.”
We couldn’t agree more. Congress and the Department of Transportation should create a consistent, nationwide AV regulatory framework that promotes safety, spurs new investment, and secures our technological leadership for generations to come.
Jeff Farrah is CEO of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association