By Jeff Farrah, CEO of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association
Nevada has long been a leader in transportation innovation. More than a decade ago, it became one of the first states to create a legal framework for the safe testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs), a decision that has attracted investment, fostered research and development, and positioned the state as a proving ground for the future of mobility.
But today, Senate Bill 395 threatens to reverse that progress.
SB 395 would require a human to be physically present in autonomous trucks. This misguided bill would effectively ban the deployment of autonomous trucking in Nevada — stalling innovation and sidelining a technology that has the potential to save lives, support the economy, and solve real challenges in freight transportation. SB 395 would send a strong message to the autonomous industry as a whole that it is unwelcome to create jobs and safer roads in Nevada.
Autonomous vehicles, whether they are passenger cars or trucks, are subject to rigorous testing, operate with multiple layers of redundancy, and utilize remote monitoring and advanced fleet control systems. Safety is not an afterthought; it’s the foundation on which this technology is built. In fact, AVs are designed to eliminate many of the risks associated with human error, including distracted and impaired driving. These human errors are responsible for the overwhelming majority of roadway crashes and deaths today.
In Nevada alone, more than 400 people lost their lives in traffic crashes last year. In the first two months of 2025, traffic deaths are already up more than 16%, according to state officials. These are not just numbers, they represent lives cut short, families devastated, and communities impacted. This trend reflects a broader pattern of increasingly unsafe driving behavior across the country, including distracted and impaired driving.
This status quo is unacceptable. It demands new tools, new thinking, and bold solutions. Autonomous vehicles are one of those solutions.
AVs operate with advanced sensors, machine learning, and fail-safe systems. AV companies have collectively logged hundreds of millions autonomous miles on public roads, supported by a robust safety record. These companies report all incidents, regardless of severity or fault, to the federal government, providing a level of transparency and oversight that has built confidence in the technology. Simply put: AVs are held to the highest safety standards in transportation today.
Autonomous trucks are not just safer, they’re essential for the Silver State’s economy. With a national shortage of more than 80,000 truck drivers, the freight industry is under growing pressure. AVs can fill critical gaps, especially for long-haul and overnight routes that are difficult to staff and increasingly unappealing to human drivers. By complementing the existing workforce, autonomous trucks can make freight more reliable and resilient.
At the same time, the AV industry is creating jobs in operations, maintenance, remote monitoring, software engineering, logistics, and more. These are high-quality, future-ready careers, and Nevada is uniquely positioned to benefit if it remains open to AV innovation.
Today, 25 states allow driverless AV operations, including Nevada. None have passed legislation banning the technology and 16 states have rejected legislation similar to SB 395 on a bipartisan basis.If Nevada adopts SB 395, it will not only lose its first-mover advantage, but it will also become a national outlier, effectively closing the door to a safer, more efficient future for freight. AV companies cannot scale their technology under the restrictions proposed in this bill. That means they won’t be able to deploy in Nevada, invest in local infrastructure, or bring their safety benefits to the state.
This is not just a policy choice; it’s a strategic risk. Other states are welcoming this innovation and the economic activity it brings. Nevada should not stand still while others move forward.
Rather than imposing blanket restrictions, Nevada should build on its legacy of thoughtful AV policy that ensures high safety standards while allowing room for technological growth. AV developers are committed to transparency, public engagement, and safety, working closely with regulators to ensure these vehicles are ready for the road.
We have a rare opportunity to make our transportation system safer, stronger, and more inclusive. Let’s not let that opportunity slip away.
