California Governor Vetoes Autonomous Vehicle Bills

California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed several bills aimed at regulating autonomous vehicles, including one that would have banned autonomous trucks from public roads and another that would have required enhanced reporting on AV-related crashes. He signed a bill that establishes guidelines for handling accidents involving autonomous vehicles, emphasizing existing comprehensive regulations in the state. In a related decision, Newsom also vetoed a bill mandating speed alerts for new vehicles, arguing that federal laws already govern vehicle safety standards and expressing concerns over creating a regulatory patchwork. This veto was met with criticism from transportation safety advocates who argued it would hinder efforts to reduce traffic fatalities. The governor's decisions highlight his support for the autonomous vehicle industry amid ongoing safety concerns and pressures from labor groups advocating for driver protections. Newsom maintains that California can balance technological innovation with worker safety without sacrificing one for the other.