California Regulators Nix Rules Limiting Carmaker Liability
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
December 1, 2017
https://wtop.com/consumer-news/2017/12/california-regulators-nix-rules-limiting-carmaker-liability/
California regulators have nixed a plan to let self-driving car manufacturers evade liability for crashes if the vehicle hasn’t been maintained according to manufacturer specifications.
The new rules released this week delete a provision that was suggested by General Motors, according to Consumer Watchdog, a non-profit advocacy group.
John Simpson, the group’s privacy and technology director, called the change a “major victory for consumers.” He said the rules could have absolved car makers of accident responsibility if a car owner hadn’t cleaned his sensors appropriately.
California Department of Motor Vehicles spokeswoman Jessica Gonzalez said the change came after a thoughtful review of comments.
The department is taking comments on the latest changes until December 15. The final regulations are expected to be enacted early next year.
