New bill would ban driverless vehicle testing in Minnesota

Published 7:28 pm Wednesday, March 28, 2018

ST. PAUL — Four state senators want to prevent driverless vehicles from being tested in Minnesota until their developers can prove they’re safe.

Republican Sen. Jim Abeler said the death of a woman who was struck by a self-driving vehicle in Tempe, Arizona last week confirmed his concerns about the technology.

Abeler and three other senators introduced a bill Tuesday that would ban the automated driving tests.

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Abeler said he doesn’t expect the legislation to pass this year, but he wants to start the debate.

On Monday, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey suspended Uber’s self-driving vehicle tests because of the fatal crash. The ride-hailing service is also facing new scrutiny in California if it wants to continue to test the technology. Its permit there expired Saturday.