Peters Meets with NHTSA Administrator Nominee Heidi King

WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, released the following statement after meeting with Heidi King, President Trump’s nominee to serve as the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) Administrator:

“We are in a new era of rapid technological changes in transportation, and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration will face a number of emerging challenges as it works to build a safe transportation network for the future. As NHTSA works to address this next generation of technology, it is important to maintain a clear focus on ensuring safety and protecting consumers. I was pleased to have a chance to speak with Deputy Administrator King about these important issues, especially the role the agency will play in the development and deployment of self-driving vehicles.

“We discussed the need to harness the expertise being developed at the Department of Transportation’s Automated Vehicle Proving Grounds – including the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti, Michigan – as the agency moves forward with new guidance and eventual rules governing the safety of self-driving systems.

“We also discussed the need to expand research and development for automated vehicle technologies to ensure they reach their full lifesaving potential. I was pleased to work with my colleagues to secure $100 million in federal funding to advance this research, and I urged Deputy Administrator King, if confirmed, to move quickly to make the most of this critical investment.”