California Considers Driverless Truck Ban
The most populated state in the nation, California always seems to be in the news when it comes to the trucking industry. Usually it involves regulations that make trucking harder, but depending on how you look at this one, it could easily be seen as something beneficial to drivers.
Details
California’s legislative system works similarly to the greater United States’: two wings that need to agree on the same thing before the Governor signs it off. A Bill that has recently come out of committee in the Golden State and is now being debated in the halls is a ban on autonomous vehicles weighing more than 9,999 pounds that do not have a human capable of driving within the cabin at all times. The bill is currently referred to as AB316.
There are two approaches to take to this news, should AB316 become law. One is for safety, with lawmakers being hesitant to trust any technology behind self-driving vehicles for the time being, especially when the technology is far from being fully developed.
The other angle is job security. By requiring a trained human driver, truckers will be able to keep their jobs for longer and it will minimize the negative effect on the economy. Wages may fall as a direct result of a self-driving truck doing 99% of the work, but considering that the trucker of the future may be able to eat, sleep, and play games while the truck navigates highways, it looks like a good trade-off in our eyes.
Conclusion
Assuming the Bill passes both wings of the legislature and arrives on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk, will he sign it with approval? We are inclined to believe yes, as similar, previous California laws regarding the trucking industry have passed and have become official law when placed across the Governor’s desk.
AB316 has been met with mixed reactions from California citizens. Most notably, autonomous trucking companies have said that its implementation will impede progress on the development of these machines, while others say it is a necessary step to make sure that autonomous commercial vehicles are as safe as possible.
ABOUT TOPMARK FUNDING
TopMark Funding is a top-rated semi-truck financing and trailer financing company located in Roseville, CA. We specialize in commercial trucking and heavy equipment. Our mission is to become your long-term financial partner by helping you grow your trucking business and fleet.
We’re not here for the short-term, we’re on the long-haul with you!
We have financing options for trailers, semi-trucks, commercial trucks, and small businesses. We have great rates, low down payments, and flexible monthly payments regardless of credit history.
Learn more about Trailer Financing.
Fill out the contact form or give us a call at (866) 627-6644. One of our truck financing specialists will contact you as soon as possible to go over your truck lease needs and learn more about you and your business financing goals.
