Sens. Markey, Blumenthal Seek Answers On Self-Driving Cars

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BOSTON (AP) — U.S. Sens. Edward Markey and Richard Blumenthal are pressing automakers and technology companies that are developing self-driving cars about their safety protocols for test-driving the vehicles.

Federal investigators said this week that the system used to automatically apply brakes had been disabled in an autonomous Uber SUV that struck and killed an Arizona pedestrian in March.

The Massachusetts and Connecticut Democrats say they want to know the answers to several questions including: how many employees are required to be in a car during testing; what protocols are in place to ensure drivers can regain control of the car; and have there been instances where the driver had to suddenly regain control to avoid an accident with a pedestrian.

The two are members of the Senate's Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

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