TRENTON – Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. has introduced a bill dealing with new age of driving involving GPS and similar technology.
Kean’s bill, S2898, would have the state Motor Vehicle Commission establish standards for so-called autonomous vehicles, ones reliant on global positioning systems or other sensors.
Among other things, the bill would direct the MVC to set up requirements for proof of insurance, establish regulations for operation of such vehicles, and draw up minimum safety standards.
“Centuries ago, people riding on a horse-drawn carriage would have never imagined that people can now push a button to start a car and press a pedal to make it drive 200 miles per hour,” Kean said in a release.
“It is hard to imagine cars driving us to work while we read the news, but there are significant technological advances being made toward that end, and New Jersey has a lot to gain from being at the forefront of such innovation.”
New Jersey would become the fourth U.S. state to adopt a law permitting autonomous vehicles and the first in the Northeast.
“This legislation sends a strong message to innovators and job creators that New Jersey is not afraid of being the home to new thinking and the way of the future,” Kean said. “It is another avenue to continue economic growth in this state, while we continue to cut red tape; make record investments in schools for our next generation; and continue adding private-sector jobs each month.”
A companion bill, A2757, was introduced in the Assembly, and is sponsored by Annette Quijano, (D-20), Elizabeth.
