Attorney Amy Witherite Questions Safety Promises from Autonomous Trucking Industry

By: Witherite Law Group via Business Wire

January 28, 2025 at 09:49 AM EST

Attorney Amy Witherite, a traffic safety expert whose firm specializes in motor vehicle accidents, says a lawsuit recently filed by Aurora Innovation raised concerns about the industry’s commitment to safely operating on our nation’s highways. Aurora, which plans to have driverless semi-trucks operating in Texas by April, is suing the U.S. Department of Transportation over safety regulations it would be required to implement.

There is a commonsense rule that truck drivers must put out flares or reflective signs if a truck is stopped on the road or shoulder. In an autonomous vehicle, there is no one to take this basic and important safety precaution and the alternative proposed by the industry was rejected by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration which found there was no evidence the alternative, just flashing lights on the truck cab would be as effective.

Aurora Innovation, sued the U.S. Department of Transportation, claiming it "arbitrarily" rejected the industry's idea for an alternative solution.

“The industry wants us to take their word for the fact that they can operate safely while at the same time complaining that the industry is subject to lawsuits when trucks cause serious accidents that cause injury or death,” said traffic safety expert Amy Witherite, founder of the Witherite Law Group.

“A recent article by the Texas Trucking Association, following my column in the Dallas Morning News where I expressed these concerns, highlighted the economic benefits of driverless trucks. However, it does not include many specifics on safety.

“There might be a higher confidence level concerning this technology if there were independent tests to show these vehicles can operate in the challenging conditions they will face on Texas highways, such as accidents, complex construction zones, drunk drivers and unpredictable weather,” said Witherite.

“Technology has made driving safe over the years,” said Witherite. “In the future, the technology for autonomous trucks can contribute to that trend.

“However, as we have learned from the aviation industry strict and specific federal regulations and rigorous testing are the best ways to ensure the safety of all of us who share the roads.”

The Witherite Law Group specializes in vehicle accident cases and offers crucial support for individuals involved in accidents with driverless vehicles. For more information visit their website. www.witheritelaw.com.