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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Boise

Lawmakers explore possibility of driverless cars in Idaho…

Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho citizens could soon be sharing the road with driverless cars. A Senate panel considered a bill Tuesday that would allow companies to test self-driving cars on Idaho highways. Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Sen. Bert Brackett says the plan's goal is to encourage businesses to research and develop driverless cars in Idaho. But the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers — along with tech-giant Google — sent the panel letters saying the bill would stifle innovation. The current bill requires that the car's passenger be able to take control manually if something goes wrong. But business groups argue that it limits progress of the cars, some of which already don't have pedals or a steering wheel. The measure is currently on hold while lawmakers explore amendments to loosen its restrictions.



Betsy Z. Russell
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.

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