Driverless Cars Shouldn't Be a Race

Second, the "race" narrative feels like a cudgel to persuade the public or elected officials to move faster with rules and regulations, justify loose ones or expose people to unnecessary risks to "win." The Wall Street Journal reported last week about concerns that the autonomous trucking company TuSimple was taking safety risks with people's lives "in a rush to deliver driverless trucks to market." The Journal reported that a truck fitted with TuSimple technology veered suddenly on an Arizona interstate last spring and careered into a concrete barricade. TuSimple told The Journal that no one was hurt and that safety was its top priority. Apple's autonomous test cars have smacked into curbs near the company's Bay Area headquarters, and earlier this year one nearly crashed into a jogger who had the right of way crossing the street, The Information reported last month.