The United States takes the lead in defining passenger safety rules for autonomous vehicles

The new regulation is expected to support and drive ongoing and planned development programs of highly autonomous vehicles in the country

In the United States, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) are regulations specifying the design, construction, performance, and durability of vehicles. The FMVSS define the minimum standard for vehicle manufacturers and their equipment. As a result of these safety regulations, buyers can be assured that the cars they purchase have been precisely manufactured with the occupants' well-being in mind. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), under the US Department of Transportation, is responsible for enforcing the FMVSS, which were first enacted in 1967. There have been updates as vehicle technology evolves, but the FMVSS establish regulations for all vehicles and hence its rules are not always the most progressive.