HIGHLY AUTOMATED VEHICLES & DISCRIMINATION AGAINST LOW-INCOME PERSONS

Widen-Final

Law reform in the United States often reflects a structural bias that advances narrow business interests without addressing broader public interest concerns. This bias may appear by omitting protective language in laws or regulations which address a subject matter area, such as permitting the testing of highly automated vehicles (“HAVs”) on public roads, while omitting a requirement for a reasonable level of insurance as a condition to obtain a testing permit. This Article explores certain social and economic justice implications of laws and regulations governing the design, testing, manufacture, and deployment of HAVs which might advance a business interest without taking account of the public interest. This Article contrasts the steps that might be taken to ensure the economic well-being of low-income persons with the current state of HAV regulation. This Article recommends steps to correct some of this bias.

Author: William H. Widen

PDF: http://ncjolt.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/10/Widen-Final.pdf

Volume 24, Issue 1