Arizona's Lax Approach to Regulating Self-Driving Cars Is Dangerous--and Paying Off

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. On Monday night, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey rescinded Uber's authority to test autonomous vehicles on the state's streets, following the March 18 crash in Tempe that killed Elaine Herzberg. Uber had already suspended its AV program in the wake of the incident, as it has routinely done after crashes. Since then, the investigation has revealed a safety protocol with more holes than a Scottsdale golf course. Video from the crash revealed that the woman had not come "from the shadows right into the roadway," as Tempe Police Chief Sylvia Moir initially said, but had already crossed several lanes of open, if darkened, asphalt before being hit by the computer-navigated Volvo SUV.