Dear Editor:
As one of the thousands of professional truck drivers in the state of Indiana, I am writing to call on Senate Homeland Security & Transportation Committee Chairman Michael Crider to hold a legislative hearing this year to consider Senate Bill 57, legislation introduced by Senator Jim Tomes to require a human operator is present in any autonomous vehicle operating on Indiana roadways. I was dismayed to learn that this important bill will not be considered by the Senate this year, and believe that is a huge mistake for Indiana.
Driverless cars and trucks are not some sort of crazy, pie-in-the-sky idea. Big Tech companies are working overtime right now in hopes of bringing fully autonomous semi-trucks onto public roads in the near future. They are already in Texas and California, and no doubt eager to use Indiana’s public roads as the testing ground for their dangerous technology.
Small, driverless cars have already proven to be a danger to public safety. In just the past year, they have caused mayhem in cities across the country by interfering with first responders, blocking traffic, and making risky maneuvers on roadways resulting in accidents.
Take it from me: a human being needs to be behind the wheel of any vehicle. I have driven tens of thousands of miles across our state, and know how things can change in the blink of an eye on the road. I have personally seen countless incidents where catastrophe was averted solely because of human instinct and training behind the wheel. Whether it was someone navigating a dangerous tire blowout on an 18-wheeler or avoiding a tree branch in the road, human drivers save lives.
Driverless cars and trucks are not some sort of crazy, pie-in-the-sky idea. Big Tech companies are working overtime right now in hopes of bringing fully autonomous semi-trucks onto public roads in the near future. They are already in Texas and California, and no doubt eager to use Indiana’s public roads as the testing ground for their dangerous technology.
Small, driverless cars have already proven to be a danger to public safety. In just the past year, they have caused mayhem in cities across the country by interfering with first responders, blocking traffic, and making risky maneuvers on roadways resulting in accidents.
Take it from me: a human being needs to be behind the wheel of any vehicle. I have driven tens of thousands of miles across our state, and know how things can change in the blink of an eye on the road. I have personally seen countless incidents where catastrophe was averted solely because of human instinct and training behind the wheel. Whether it was someone navigating a dangerous tire blowout on an 18-wheeler or avoiding a tree branch in the road, human drivers save lives.
It is downright frightening to think about some computer controlling a vehicle traveling at high speeds on the open road. That is a catastrophe waiting to happen.
Driverless cars would not only be a hazard to the public, but they would put drivers like me out of work. Automation will make it impossible for me to put food on the table and support my family. Dangerous technology should not be prioritized ahead of our safety and our livelihoods.
I hope Senator Crider will give Senate Bill 57 the hearing it deserves this year. This issue is too important to kick the can down the road for another year.
Sincerely,
Earl Brown,
Secretary-Treasurer
Teamsters Local 215
