Texas Senate approves regulations for self-driving cars

Self-driving Google

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Senate has approved safety standards for self-driving cars, hoping to better regulate technology that’s already been tested on the streets of the state capital.

A bill by Sen. Kelly Hancock, a North Richland Hills Republican, mandates that autonomous vehicles comply with national traffic codes. It also allows the state to supersede any local regulations Texas communities have made to accommodate self-driving cars.

Hancock’s measure was approved 31-0 on Thursday, and now speeds to the state House.

Google has tested self-driving cars in Austin, where city officials embraced technology that has in the past been slowed somewhat by regulations in the company’s home state of California.

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Hancock’s bill also requires self-driving cars to be equipped with data-recording systems and to stop and “notify the proper authorities” after crashes.

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