Gov. Doug Ducey: Self-driving cars allowed on Arizona roads without human behind the wheel

Gov. Doug Ducey on Thursday moved to maintain Arizona's status as the most permissive state for self driving cars.

The governor issued a new executive order that makes it clear the robot cars don't need a driver behind the wheel if they follow all the traditional traffic laws and rules for cars and drivers.

Ducey initially issued his permissive order in 2015, and since then, Uber, Waymo, General Motors and Intel have been testing self-driving cars on public roads in Arizona. Waymo even does so with no driver behind the wheel of the robot cars.

The executive order said that 600 autonomous cars with their telltale rooftop sensors and other equipment operate on public roads in Arizona today.

Waymo's white minvans are a common sight in Chandler, where Intel also tests autonomous technology. Uber's grey SUVs roll mostly around Arizona State University and along Scottsdale Road, while GM's white cars operate mostly in south Scottsdale.

“As technology advances, our policies and priorities must adapt to remain competitive in today’s economy,” Ducey said in a statement. “This executive order embraces new technologies by creating an environment that supports autonomous vehicle innovation and maintains a focus on public safety.”

Ducey's move follows a recent action by California regulators to permit self-driving cars with nobody behind the wheel starting April 2, something that state previously prohibited. Unlike California, Arizona does not require a special license for self-driving vehicles.

Uber had a tiff with California over its regulations in 2016 that prompted the company to bring its fleet to Arizona.

Ducey's new executive order notes that more than 37,000 people die annually in traffic accidents nationwide and that the aim of self-driving cars is to make the roads safer.

The order says self-driving cars "with, or without, a person present in the vehicle" must follow all state and federal laws as well as regulations from the state Department of Transportation.

It says driverless vehicles are only allowed if they are fully autonomous and the operator submits a statement to the Department of Transportation declaring:

• The vehicle complies with federal law
• That it will "achieve a minimal risk condition" if the vehicle has a malfunction
• The vehicle is capable of complying with all laws and regulations
• That the person testing or operating the autonomous vehicle may be issued a citation or other penalty if laws are broken
• The autonomous vehicle is properly licensed, registered and insured

The executive order also allows the Department of Transportation to issue a cease and desist letter to any person who fails to submit such a statement.

Ducey also ordered the Department of Public Safety to issue a protocol to law enforcement agencies regarding "how fully autonomous vehicles behave in the event of an accident."

Companies testing self-driving cars must acknowledge their vehicles can comply with that protocol.

Waymo is the only company currently operating autonomous vehicles with nobody behind the wheel, though other companies hope to attain that goal.

"Arizona’s support of innovation has allowed Waymo to remain focused on our mission to improve road safety by building the world’s most experienced driver," Waymo said in a prepared statement.

"We are proud to be growing our operations in Chandler and look forward to launching our driverless ride-hailing service in the greater Phoenix area later this year."

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