California Poll: Strong Support for Regulating Driverless Vehicles

Strong Support for Human Oversight in Autonomous Vehicles as California Moves Forward with New Legislation

As technology continues to advance, the conversation around the role of artificial intelligence in our daily lives intensifies. California is at the forefront of this debate with Assembly Bill 33, a proposed law that seeks to mandate the presence of human operators in autonomous vehicles used for delivering goods commercially. A recent poll indicates overwhelming public support for this initiative.

The legislation, backed by the Teamsters, comes in response to growing concerns about the impact of driverless vehicles on public safety and employment. A survey conducted by Tulchin Research reveals that 79 percent of California voters are in favor of requiring trained human operators in self-driving delivery vehicles. Moreover, 84 percent of respondents worry about job displacement due to AI, while 86 percent believe that Big Tech wields excessive power.

Peter Finn, Teamsters Western Region International Vice President and President of Joint Council 7, emphasizes the public's discontent: “The evidence is clear: Californians are sick and tired of Big Tech’s complete disregard for the impact of AI on safety, jobs, and our communities. Driverless trucks are dangerous, and delivery drivers across the state are demanding elected officials fight with us to protect good middle-class jobs.”

Supporters of AB 33 argue that the bill strikes a balance between embracing technological advancements and safeguarding jobs and public safety. The use of autonomous delivery vehicles poses a threat to the livelihoods of many Californians employed in the transportation and delivery sectors.

Chris Griswold, Teamsters International Vice President At-Large and President of Joint Council 42, asserts, “The regulation of driverless vehicles has overwhelming bipartisan support for a reason. AVs are dangerous and a threat to hundreds of thousands of California workers. AB 33 will ensure that Silicon Valley doesn’t destroy an entire workforce during its never-ending quest to move fast and break things.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents over 1.3 million workers across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. For further details, visit Teamster.org. Stay updated on their activities by following them on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.