The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has growing concerns over recent actions by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to expedite the approval process for autonomous vehicles (AVs), particularly those lacking basic human driving controls such as steering wheels and brake pedals.
In a recent letter, NHTSA announced it will “streamline” the exemption process requiring manufacturers to seek federal approval before deploying self-driving vehicles. These standards have traditionally mandated that all vehicles include manual controls, which are a critical safeguard for human operation and accountability on public roads.
NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser stated that under this new policy, the agency “anticipates reaching decisions on most exemption requests within months rather than years.” This announcement may open the door to the widespread deployment of AVs without fully understanding or addressing the potential risks these vehicles pose to all road users, including motorcyclists.
The MRF has long advocated for the rights and safety of motorcyclists in an evolving transportation landscape. The MRF believes that rigorous testing and transparent data sharing are the best methods to ensure AV systems are capable of safely sharing the road with all roadway users.
We recognize the potential benefits of autonomous technology, but not at the expense of human lives. Motorcyclists cannot be an afterthought in the race toward automation. For the future of road safety and the preservation of motorcyclists’ rights, we must ensure that innovation proceeds responsibly and inclusively.
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