Teamsters Union and South Dakota Peace Officers Association Oppose Bill 109

Teamsters Local 120 and the South Dakota Peace Officers Association (SDPOA) strongly oppose House Bill 1095, which would permit autonomous vehicles (AVs) to operate on South Dakota roads without a human driver.

The bill, backed by California tech companies, passed out of the state’s House Energy and Commerce Committee earlier this week. Critics, including Tom Erickson of Teamsters, argue that driverless technology is not ready, emphasizing the safety risks and the potential impact on jobs. James Heeren, a former police officer, raised concerns about the bill’s effect on emergency response, citing incidents in San Francisco involving AVs obstructing law enforcement and emergency vehicles. Additionally, Heeren highlighted the bill’s provision diminishing municipal power and urged lawmakers to prioritize public safety by rejecting House Bill 1095. The South Dakota Peace Officers Association echoes these concerns, emphasizing the increased danger on roadways and hindrance to first responders.

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