At a press conference live-streamed from Google headquarters in Mountain View, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Senate Bill 1298, which sets safety and performance standards for self-driving cars in California.
SB 1298 was authored by State Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) and approved by the Legislature on Aug. 29.
Several companies, including Google, BMW, Audi and Volvo are developing self-driving car technology that is aimed at greater safety, fuel efficiency and roadway capacity.
“Today we’re looking at science fiction becoming tomorrow’s reality – the self-driving car,” said Governor Brown.
Google co-founder Sergey Brin thanked the state of California for helping with Google products and innovations.
“[The innovations] wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the risk-taking spirit of this state,” Brin said.
One of the major reasons both Padilla and Brin cited in favor of Google autonomous vehicles over human-driven cars was safety.
"I think self-driving cars are going to be a lot safer than human drivers," Brin said. "It seems the stuff of science fiction&hellip but it really has the power to change people’s lives."
Before SB 1298, California law did not address the operation of self-driving cars, also called autonomous vehicles. The bill requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to create an application and approval process for operating autonomous vehicles on California roads, establishes safety and performance standards and requires that the vehicles meet all safety and performance requirements already in state and federal law.
“This self-driving car is another step forward in this long march of California pioneering the future and leading not just the country but the whole world,” continued Brown before signing the legislation on stage with Brin and Padilla.
The bill also allows a licensed driver to test "drive" an autonomous vehicle.
Another bill authored by Senator Padilla, SB 1161 that would prohibit the Public Utilities Commission or any other state agency from regulating voice calls made through the Internet, still awaits action by the Governor. Brown has until September 30 to sign or veto the remaining bills on his desk.
