Self-driving car companies can now volunteer to report safety data to the US government

The US transportation department is proposing a way for companies to voluntarily report safety data for self-driving cars. This program would let the public see some of the safety information for these vehicles, while still allowing companies to develop the technology.

For years, the public has had little insight into how safe self-driving cars actually are. This proposal creates a formal channel for companies to share safety data, which could build public trust and inform future regulations. It also means that companies who choose to participate will have a clearer path for demonstrating their safety claims to the government.