SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 3

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2018

INTRODUCED BY

James P. White and William “Bill” R. Rehm

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CREATE A COMMITTEE THAT INCLUDES RELEVANT STATE AGENCIES AND PRIVATE ENTITIES TO REVIEW THE CURRENT AND DEVELOPING STATE OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOP A PROPOSAL TO ALLOW AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE USE IN NEW MEXICO WHILE ENSURING PUBLIC SAFETY.

     WHEREAS, in October 2017, the national highway traffic safety administration reported that the yearly nationwide average for police-reported vehicle accidents for the ten years from 2006 through 2015 was more than five million seven hundred seventy thousand; and

     WHEREAS, the yearly nationwide average number of fatalities from vehicle accidents for the ten years from 2006 through 2015 was more than thirty-two thousand; and

     WHEREAS, the national highway traffic safety administration estimates that ninety-four percent of all vehicle accidents are caused by human error; and

     WHEREAS, a vehicle with modern technology can monitor a wealth of information regarding roadway hazards and the movement of other vehicles within its vicinity; and

     WHEREAS, current and developing autonomous vehicle technology holds the promise of providing continuous attention to changing traffic conditions and faster reaction time than human drivers; and

     WHEREAS, some of the new model vehicles currently being sold are equipped for semiautonomous operation; and

     WHEREAS, fully autonomous vehicles are currently in limited use in pilot projects in Phoenix, Arizona, and in other areas, and their presence on United States roadways is expected to grow rapidly; and

     WHEREAS, autonomous vehicles may have significant effects on road use, road safety, road maintenance, vehicle registration, operator licensing, vehicle repair and modification, accident liability and security; and

     WHEREAS, traditionally, individual states have been responsible for setting the standards for vehicle registration, operator licensing and traffic laws; and

     WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico is dedicated to road safety, and motor vehicle policies and laws should be consistent throughout the state; and

     WHEREAS, state policy and laws to accommodate the growing market for autonomous vehicles should be developed with the involvement of experts and stakeholders from both the private sector and public agencies;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of transportation be requested to create and lead an autonomous vehicle committee to review the current and developing technology for autonomous vehicle operation and existing state policy and statutes that may be relevant to autonomous vehicle operations; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in addition to other individuals or organizations the department of transportation may include, the autonomous vehicle committee include at least one member representing each of the department of transportation, the department of public safety, the taxation and revenue department, the department of information technology, the economic development department and the public regulation commission; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the autonomous vehicle committee further solicit comments from a wide spectrum of public and private stakeholders; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the autonomous vehicle committee present a report to the appropriate legislative interim committee prior to that committee's final meeting in 2018; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report include recommendations for statutory changes and administrative policies and programs that may be needed to allow the sale and operation of autonomous vehicles in New Mexico while ensuring public safety; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the secretary of transportation, the secretary of public safety, the secretary of taxation and revenue, the secretary of information technology, the secretary of economic development and the public regulation commission.

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