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Congress Considers Legislation Concerning Self-Driving Cars

The House has passed and the Senate is considering legislation that would allow the manufacturing and operation of self-driving cars.

Maine’s senators see potential safety advantages, but want thorough testing before the vehicles are allowed on the nation’s highways.

Recent polling indicates Americans are very concerned about driverless cars on the road in the wake of some highly publicized accidents in the few pilot projects currently allowed.

Maine Senator Angus king, an independent, says the safety technology has yet to prove itself, although he says the potential safety advantages are important.

“The important thing is to be sure we safely get from where we are now to a future that will be much safer than it is today,” King says.

Republican Senator Susan Collins agrees that the technology must be safe and have the confidence of the public, but that there are potential benefits. “We need more research, more testing, better technology,” she says. “I also think that autonomous cars offer great promise particularly to those who are disabled, or some of our seniors that don’t feel comfortable driving anymore.”

Journalist Mal Leary spearheads Maine Public's news coverage of politics and government and is based at the State House.