American Motorcyclist Association Urges DOT to Act on Automated Driver System Regulations Following Tragic Collision

Calls on DOT Secretary Buttigieg to stand with motorcyclists to
prevent further loss of life

PICKERINGTON, OH -= April 26, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – In the wake of the most recent tragedy involving a fatal collision between a Tesla vehicle in autopilot mode and a motorcyclist in Washington state, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) once again urges the Department of Transportation (DOT) to strengthen Automated Driving System (ADS) regulations. The incident, which resulted in the death of the rider, underscores the urgent need for specific regulations that require that both recognition and reaction to motorcycles be fully integrated into crash avoidance and autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies to ensure safety for motorcyclists and drivers.

“This tragic loss of life is another reminder that the AMA’s call to include motorcycle recognition and reaction in Federal Automated Vehicle Policy has gone unanswered,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “Our thoughts go out to the family and loved ones of this motorcyclist, and sadly, we are left with the question for the DOT, NHTSA, automakers, and technology companies: how many people must die before you take action? This recent crash was not the first and we are deeply concerned that it won’t be the last unless AV systems are required to be designed and tested with the unique characteristics of motorcyclists in mind.”

“Since the 1990s,” Dingman continued, “The AMA has engaged with federal agencies, automakers and software developers on the dangers surrounding developing and implementing self-driving technology without adequate consideration of its impact on motorcyclists. In a column I penned in American Motorcyclist magazine back in 2016 titled Highly Automated Horror, I noted that failing to consider motorcyclists could prove catastrophic to motorcycling, and, unfortunately, we’re seeing that become a reality today.”

Currently, the government has regulations in place that tells consumers what type of fuel and which engine types they should buy. Yet when it comes to an actual problem that’s costing lives, the ongoing epidemic remains ignored, despite the AMA urging action.

In February of 2022, the AMA — along with the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) — sat down to share industry priorities with United States DOT Secretary Buttigieg and department staff. One of the key discussion points during that meeting was the…