Senator Proposes Bill for Future with Driverless Cars

When driverless cars are ready to take to the roads, the state of California plans to be ready. State Sen. Alex Padilla has introduced a bill to establish guidelines for autonomous vehicles to be tested and operated here. If passed, California would follow the lead of Nevada in allowing vehicles that operate using sensors, radar, global positioning systems (GPS) and other high-tech gadgetry. Though driverless cars are still in the experimental stage, Padilla doesn’t want the state taking a reactive approach, pointing out that traffic control devices such as stop signs and stoplights lagged behind changes in automobile technology. “I’d rather that not be the case when it comes to autonomous vehicles and establish the rules ahead of time,” said Padilla, whose district includes the east San Fernando Valley. If it becomes law, the bill would direct the California Highway Patrol to set guidelines for driverless vehicles’ use of public roadways. Padilla hopes the bill would get passed by lawmakers in the current legislative session. The idea of a driverless car has been around since the late 1930s. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has staged competitions to show off driverless technology. Automakers Ford Motor Co. and Volvo, and Cal Tech in Pasadena have all done research on these vehicles. The most high-profile autonomous vehicles have been developed by Google, which has a fleet of seven that have traveled around the state logging more than 200,000 miles. The Google fleet uses video cameras, radar sensors and a laser range finder to detect other traffic. Padilla rode in one of the Google cars and was impressed by how it changed lanes, accelerated and came to a stop on its own. It was a reminder, Padilla said, that computers have a quicker response time than humans do. “I was in the driver’s seat and had to be ready to take over if something went wrong but nothing did,” Padilla said. At the Races L.A. Car Connection brought together owners of high-end sports cars for an amateur race at the Willow Springs Race Track out in the desert in Rosamond. Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches and a Ford GT were among the vehicles taking part in the first such race arranged by the Westlake Village firm. L.A. Car Connection founder and owner Eric Brooks was impressed by the quality of the cars and the driving abilities exhibited out on the track, where speeds were clocked in excess of 100 miles per hour. “A lot of people could open their cars up to see how fast they can go,” Brooks said. “It is on my bucket list to drive 150 miles per hour.” Brooks wants to make the race an annual event and tie it into raising money for children’s charities. L.A. Car Connection helps clients buy or lease new and used vehicles and offers after-market upgrades for personalization. The firm serves an elite, high net worth clientele. “They look to us as the knowledgeable experts of what they should have,” Brooks said. Car Talk CRN Digital Talk Radio has added celebrity auto builder and car enthusiast Bodie Stroud to its line-up of talk show hosts. “In the Garage with Bodie Stroud” began airing on the radio network earlier this year on Saturday mornings. The show features guest racers, mechanics and celebrities sharing their thoughts with Stroud on autos and auto racing. The first show was broadcast live from the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona. Sunland-based CRN can be heard on broadcast radio affiliates, national cable operators and online. Stroud is owner of Bodie Stroud Industries in Sun Valley where he and his staff build and customize classic cars. His work has been featured on The Discovery Channel, Hot Rod TV, and in publications including Hot Rod, Super Chevy, and Popular Hot Rodding. “Bodie not only is a true star in his field, he’s also an outstanding communicator, who loves people and makes them feel at home. We’re very pleased to bring him to CRN,” said CRN CEO and founder Michael Horn in a prepared statement. Dealer Honored Valencia car dealership owner Cheri Fleming was honored as a Woman of the Year in the Fifth District by the Los Angeles County Supervisors. Fleming was recognized for her work with Soroptimist International of the Americas, an organization of business and professional women improving the lives of women and girls through the world. Fleming owns Valencia Acura and was nominated for the award by county Supervisor Michael Antonovich. “I am very pleased to receive this award on behalf of all my fellow Soroptimist members,” Fleming said in a prepared statement. “It’s an outstanding group of dedicated women and I consider it an honor just to be part of such a great organization.” Staff Reporter Mark Madler can be reached at (818) 316-3126 or by e-mail at [email protected]