A ban on the use of driverless trucks in the state of California has moved closer to becoming law after passing the committee stage in the state legislature.

The rule would mean any vehicle weighing more than 10,000 lbs (approx 4.5 tonnes) would require a human safety driver.

Industry bodies have criticised the move saying there is zero evidence of safety risks for driverless vehicles and that the law is being based on “speculation”.

American magazine and website Commercial Carrier Journal says more than 4,250 motorists were killed on California roads in 2021 and more than 10% of crashes involved a large truck.

It quotes Jeff Farrah, executive director of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, as saying autonomous trucks would increase safety on the roads by removing impaired, distracted and drowsy driving errors.

(File picture – Volvo)