California Senate votes to allow self-driving cars

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

California Senate votes to allow self-driving cars

By Mary Slosson

SACRAMENTO | Mon May 21, 2012 6:36pm EDT

(Reuters) - California took a step toward becoming the second state in the nation to allow self-driven cars on its roads on Monday, as the state Senate unanimously agreed to allow autonomously driven vehicles such as those pioneered by Google.

Google's self-driving cars have already crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and driven along the picturesque Pacific Coast Highway, according to the company, which has taken California lawmakers on test drives.

"I had the pleasure of going out for a drive on the autonomous vehicle," California state Senator Alan Lowenthal said before the unopposed vote. "I have to say that there are some still issues with it, but it's a better driver than I am."

The California bill, which passed in a 37-0 vote, will now go to the state Assembly for consideration before heading to the desk of Governor Jerry Brown. If passed and signed, it would go into effect in January 2013.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/21/us-usa-california-cars-idUSBRE84K19620120521

[SharonAnn]

1. I've been wanting one of these for years!

I want to get in, program the destination, and let it take me there.

If I never have to drive again, that would be all right with me.

Of course, if I had public transportation available, I'd use that, but now I have to drive myself.

[shanti]

4. and it would eliminate drunk driving and accidents

hopefully, they start with I-5!

[Johonny]

2. I'm not sure I trust a driver that can't flip me off

[shanti]

3. this is one of those inventions

that i dreamed about as a kid. same thing with video phones. now if these self-driving cars could only fly like the jetsons!

[marlakay]

5. I saw a clip on tv showing these cars

But all the cars on the road were automated.

How would it work if some were and some were not?