Automated Cars Legislation On Its Way to Gov. Snyder’s Desk

The bi-partisan legislation allows self-driving cars on public roads without a human in the car ready to take over.

Snyder and Ford Auto Show

Marissa Gawel/WDET

Research and testing of self-driving cars in Michigan are seeing a boost. A package of bills that furthers testing of automated cars is on its way to Gov. Rick Snyder’s desk.

The bi-partisan legislation allows self-driving cars on public roads without a human in the car ready to take over.

Rep. Phil Phelps (D-Flushing) is the top Democrat on the House committee that recommended the bills be adopted. He said this is a step toward making Michigan a top state for autonomous vehicles.

“The importance here lies in investment in the state and especially when it comes to potential job creation,” he said. “So we want Michigan to be a leader, especially when it comes to anything vehicle related.”

Charley Ballard, who literally wrote the book on Michigan’s economy, said, “I do believe that the companies like General Motor and Ford will have a very important role to play and a lot of their research and production operations are here in Michigan.”

Given Snyder’s recent branding campaign – called Planet M – that promotes Michigan as a world center for innovative transportation and mobility research, he is likely to sign the legislation.  

Author

  • Cheyna Roth is the co-host and creator of WDET's state politics podcast, MichMash. She has been an audio journalist for almost a decade, covering major events like presidential elections, college scandals, the Michigan Legislature and more, appearing on NPR and across Michigan public radio stations. Cheyna is also a senior producer and podcast host for Slate.com, having produced and hosted shows like Political Gabfest, The Waves, and What Next TBD. Also an author, Cheyna has written two true crime books and her written work has appeared in Broadly, Slate, and MLive, among others.