Minneapolis Mayor Frey to Veto Human-Operator Rule for Self-Driving Cars After 1-Vote Council Passage
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 3
Minneapolis Mayor Frey to Veto Human-Operator Rule for Self-Driving Cars After 1-Vote Council Passage
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 3
Summary
Jacob Frey said he will veto a Minneapolis ordinance that would require a human operator and special license for all autonomous vehicles, calling it a "backdoor ban" on the technology.
The measure narrowly passed the City Council on Thursday after Council Member Jason Chavez argued Waymo vehicles had killed cats and urged protections for pet owners.
Supporters of autonomous taxis say a human-in-every-car rule would effectively block driverless service and raise fares, while opponents argue the vehicles create safety risks and threaten jobs.
Chavez's remarks triggered broad social-media ridicule, with critics saying Minneapolis leaders were focusing on robot cars and cats instead of crime, fraud and housing costs.
The clash leaves Minneapolis weighing whether to embrace self-driving transport as Waymo-style vehicles become more common in U.S. cities.