Self-driving cars focus of bill

THE provincial government has introduced legislation to set the ground rules for the testing of self-driving vehicles in Manitoba.

Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler said the proposed Vehicle Technology Testing Act (Bill 23) would create a framework to enable examination of automated vehicles.

“It is something that industry has asked for, that they be allowed to test on our roads,” he said of vehicle manufacturers. “They would like to have some kind of structure put in place.”

Schuler said the province has considered the move for more than two years. He said following passage of the bill, the government would develop regulations and a permitting system in consultation with stakeholders.

“By enabling developers to safely test emerging vehicle technologies on provincial roadways, we are supporting Manitoba’s large agricultural, trucking, heavy-vehicle manufacturing and technology development sectors,” Schuler said.

Companies would have to obtain special insurance coverage, he said. “We are not going to ask Manitoba ratepayers at MPI to cover off, should something happen.”

— Larry Kusch