The Transport Workers Union (TWU) supports legislation in California that would provide local governments with the ability to block autonomous vehicles (AVs) from operating on their city or town roadways and urges the adoption of SB 915 ahead of a California Senate hearing on April 3.
SB 915, under consideration in the California Senate Local Government and Transportation Committees, would prevent AV deployment unless a local government passes an ordinance authorizing AV operations within its jurisdiction. Current law provides two state agencies power to green light AV use in cities across California –the Department of Motor Vehicles and the California Public Utilities Commission.
This bill would add much needed safeguards by finally including the voice of local officials and community members to the AV approval process. This common-sense solution adds a critical voice to those concerned about AVs safely operating in their neighborhoods and on their roadways.
“Local leaders – who answer to voters – know that putting autonomous vehicles on the roads can cause all sorts of safety problems,” said TWU International President John Samuelsen. “Unelected bureaucrats shouldn’t have the power to dramatically change our roadways and transit systems, and this bill critically gives communities control over their own streets.”
As transit operators in San Francisco, TWU members have seen first-hand the safety threats AVs pose to the public. Robotaxis have snarled traffic, blocked bus routes, obstructed first responders, and injured pedestrians on San Francisco roadways.
“Concerns about pedestrian and roadway safety are often localized issues addressed by community involvement and local leaders”, said Chris Avila, Chairperson of the TWU California State Conference, “SB 915 would finally allow those local AV concerns to be heard”.
Ahead of the hearing, TWU’s California State Conference held highly productive meetings with key lawmakers including Transportation Committee Chair Dave Cortese, Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez, Transportation Committee Member Anthony Portantino, Local Government Committee Member Scott Wiener and Assembly Government Organization Chair Blanca Rubio. The meetings included discussions on SB 915 and AB 2286, a bill that would require human operators in all commercial use vehicles over 10,000 pounds.
SB 915 will be up for consideration before the California Senate Committee on Local Government on Wednesday, April 3.