No Local Control: The Risks of Unregulated Robotaxis in Dallas

Amy Witherite is a board-certified attorney, traffic safety expert, and founder of the Witherite Law Group. A dedicated advocate for roadway safety, she has spent years fighting for stronger regulations to protect the public from the dangers of unproven autonomous vehicle technology.

In response to Lyft’s plan to launch driverless robotaxis in Dallas—without any local oversight—Amy is sounding the alarm. Texas’ hands-off approach means residents have no say in whether these vehicles should be tested on their streets. While innovation is important, Amy argues that it should never come at the cost of public safety.

Re: "Lyft to launch robotaxis - Effort using Mobileye Drive Technology to start in Dallas: Feb. 1 Metro & Business story.

Lyft has just announced it will be bringing driverless robotaxis to Dallas streets sometime next year, and there is nothing the city can do to stop them. State law forbids cities and counties from enacting their own driverless vehicle regulations, making cities like Dallas guinea pigs for this unproved technology.

Companies promoting robotaxis have praised Texas' hands-off approach to regulation. State law allows autonomous vehicle companies free access to public streets provided they are registered and insured and equipped with technology to record data about potential crashes.

The argument for this hands-off attitude has been the claim that regulations stymie innovations. Innovation is important, but it must not come at the expense of safety.

Dallas residents should be able to have a say in whether this unproven technology is allowed on our city streets.

- Amy Witherite