California's Democratic governor has vetoed a bill that would have required human drivers to be on board self-driving trucks.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill to require human drivers on board self-driving trucks, a measure that union leaders and truck drivers said would save hundreds of thousands of jobs in the state.

  • Dizzy Devil Ducky@lemm.eeEnglish
    151·
    1 year ago

    Having a required human driver in the trucks for if/when the self-driving portion of the truck suddenly bugs out or gets into a situation where it cannot get itself free would probably save them a lot of headache and business when suddenly that truck gets into a situation it cannot correct itself.

    Hell, we’ve already seen times when that would’ve saved lives like the time self driving taxis ended up blocking an ambulance en route.

    • ItsMeSpez@lemmy.world
      1·
      1 year ago

      I wonder if these vehicles could be remotely piloted by a human when they become gridlocked, rather than have someone sitting in the cabin the entire time. Seems like just sitting in an autonomous vehicle while it drives long distances would be a particularly terrible job.

          • Patches@sh.itjust.works
            62·
            1 year ago

            Ah yes the ol “It’s cheaper sometimes to kill a couple people than employ a few more people” argument.

            Haven’t heard that one in a while.

            What is the going rate for a human life these days? 3 Full time employees? 4?

              • ANGRY_MAPLE@sh.itjust.works
                2·
                1 year ago

                Historically speaking, it’s sadly far from uncommon.

                They just cross their fingers and hope that it never happens. Companies have a bad habit of deciding that they would keep more money paying for a lawsuit than they would keep by paying employees. If a company is worth billions, a few million is a drop in the bucket.

                There’s a VERY good reason for many safety regulations. A lot of these regulations have been paid for with blood and death.

                I wish we were better as a species, but here we are.