A proposed Kentucky law, which would have legalized autonomous vehicles with bare-bones oversight, was defeated in the Senate Transportation Committee meeting last week. A last-ditch effort to attach the language to an unrelated bill on the Senate floor on the final day of the session was also defeated.

"The defeat of this disastrous law is a victory not just for Teamsters, but anyone who uses Kentucky roads," said Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman. "The Teamsters are pro-worker and pro-safety, not anti-technology. This legislation was an attack on workers, plain and simple."

"The fact that this bill would have legalized the operation of completely autonomous semi-trucks towing thousands of pounds was a terrifying thought," said Avral Thompson, Teamsters Local 89 President and Central Region International Vice President. "Just one wrong calculation from an autonomous semi-truck could easily result in carnage that could do hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages, not to mention the potential for a tragic loss of life to other drivers on the road. Beyond the significant safety risks, autonomous vehicles pose a direct threat to the jobs of thousands of men and women across Kentucky."

Significant groundwork by the Teamsters ensured House Bill 135 was defeated in committee, involving collaboration between Teamster locals and other unions in Kentucky. Dozens of rank-and-file union members met with legislators during the session to protest HB 135.