Assemblymember Rodriguez Introduces AB 623: Innovate with Safety Act

(SACRAMENTO)-  Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) today introduced the Safe Innovation Act to better protect Californians from serious harm as companies test autonomous vehicle technology. Assembly Bill 623 (Rodriguez) will put needed safety measures in place to allow the Department Of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to better monitor and respond to malfunctions in the software and technology of autonomous vehicles being tested around California.  

“Our State and the economy are experiencing incredible innovation and technological advances that have the potential to leave us safer and more efficient,” said Rodriguez. “With bold action and rapid development must come safeguards to ensure that the very people who will benefit from this technology in the future are not the ones injured in its deployment. AB 623 provides policy makers with immediate information on which to make informed decisions. As autonomous vehicle technology is improved, I believe it will make our roadways safer and less congested.”

AB 623 would require an accident involving an autonomous vehicle that results in serious bodily harm or death to be reported to the DMV within 24 hours. The DMV would be required to suspend the operating license for that vehicle’s manufacturer for 5 days while an investigation is conducted. If the investigation determines that the accident is the fault of the technology and not a driver or another vehicle, the DMV may revoke the operational license until such time it is demonstrated that the issue has been corrected. 

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