The state of New Jersey has long held a reputation for investing in and fostering the technological developments that have driven the American economy forward. From the Edison laboratories in West Orange to the Bell Laboratories located in Murray Hills (Berkeley Heights) there has been a historical commitment in New Jersey to empowering the high-tech companies & entrepreneurs that make technological progress possible. Today, major tech companies like Verizon, Amazon, Alcatel-Lucent, and Xerox all conduct operations in New Jersey. In fact, according to an NJ.com report, from 2012-2013 high-tech job growth in New Jersey increased by 5.2 percent – the highest in the nation. New Jersey appears to be poised to continue on this trend as state legislators in Trenton have taken action to prepare the state for the potential next big technological commercial wave: self-driving cars.
The Jayson Law Group, LLC can help your emerging firm or other business understand the potential effects of regulatory legislation such as this bill. With our legal guidance, your business can rest assured that it is working from meticulously researched legal guidance.
How does the bill make the state more attractive for driverless car engineering firms?
Following significant interest from engineering students from Princeton University and tech-giant Google, New Jersey state legislators have taken notice of the need for regulations and standards to better direct and drive the systems and processes that will make these vehicles function safely & reliably. The language n the proposed bill would require the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to establish an array of regulations and standards regarding the operation of self-driving cars. These rules would address the safety, registration, operation, and testing of these vehicles. Furthermore the legislation also instructs the agency to formulate standards for insurance for these new vehicles.
The New Jersey legislators’ though process is likely similar to that of the NHTSA in the NHTSA’s request for public comment on V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle) communication. V2V technologies should allow cars to “talk” to each other and provide information such as velocity, location, proximately and other information. Self-driving vehicles, almost undoubtedly, will utilize some aspects of V2V communications. However, because the utility of a V2V communications protocol is proportional to the number of vehicles that can support the protocol, it is essential that standards are developed at the outset so that all vehicles speak the same “language”.
While the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) declined to comment on the current bill, it almost certainly will be extremely involved in the process as the NJEDA is currently charged with redevelopment of the Fort Monmouth site. However, minutes from a recent meeting did reveal that NJEDA is aware of the group Princeton Autonomous Vehicle Engineering (PAVE) who is interested in developing a facility at the base.
Where does this bill regulating autonomous cars currently stand?
Back in October 2014, PAVE organized a conference at the Army base at Fort Monmouth. Representatives from major auto manufactures, such as BMW, were present as were other representatives from insurance interests and tech companies.
In October, the bill passed out of the transportation committee. A hearing on Monday, December 8th, was supposed to take public statements regarding the bill, but testimony was not taken. However, representatives from Honda and GM were apparently present at the meeting to express their company’s opposition to the measure based on a belief that the regulation is premature. However supporters of the measure have pointed to the increased safety and reduced accidents that may be possible due to self-driving cars. To date with more than 200,000 miles driven, autonomous cares have only been involved in two accidents – one where a stopped autonomous vehicle was rear-ended at a stop sign and another where a human-driven car ran a red light.
A vote on the bill is now currently pending before the full state Senate. If the bill is passed New Jersey would join four states and Washington D.C. as jurisdictions that have taken steps to regulated autonomous vehicles.
Experienced business lawyer provides regulatory guidance for New Jersey businesses
The experienced commercial attorneys of the Jayson Law Group can assist your tech company or firm in identifying and understanding regulations and legislation in New Jersey. Because these laws can seriously impact the way your company conducts operations and your bottom-line, it is essential that business owners are fully informed of the legal landscape prior to making important decisions about the company. Furthermore if your company encounters difficulties with another company, we can work to resolve the issue. For your free and confidential consultation, contact our firm or call 908-768-3633 today.
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