There are going to be driverless cars, though no one knows exactly when. Information about the technology is closely held, of course, and it’s easy to question the irrational exuberance of people who stand to gain vast wealth from the transition’s completion. The U.S. government, which will have to nimbly legislate the new normal, is making noise, however, that sooner rather than later may be the ETA. 

From Justin Pritchard at the Associated Press:

In a written statement Monday, U.S. Department of Transportation spokeswoman Suzanne Emmerling said that with rapid development of the technology, federal policy is being updated.

“Breathtaking progress has been made,” Emmerling wrote. She said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx ordered his department’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration update its 2013 policy “to reflect today’s technology and his sense of urgency to bring innovation to our roads that will make them safer.” 

It’s unclear what the new policy will be, though the tone of the statement signaled that Foxx is interested in endorsing the technology.

Specific language the traffic safety administration in revisiting holds that states which do permit public access after testing should require that a qualified driver be behind the wheel.

Google has argued that once cars can drive as safely as humans, it would be better to remove the steering wheel and pedals so that people don’t mess up the ride. A Google spokesman had no comment on word of the federal review.•