Hit the Road, Mac: The Future of Self-Driving Cars

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a full committee hearing titled “Hit the Road, Mac: The Future of Self-Driving Cars” on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. EST. In the race with China to lead the future of transportation technology, the federal government must establish a national safety standard and foster the growth of autonomous vehicles (AVs). The current patchwork of state laws and regulations governing AVs has slowed their adoption and created an inconsistent—and often conflicting—landscape that makes it difficult for companies to scale and operate across state lines, ultimately stifling innovation and undermining U.S. leadership. Approximately 94 percent of all traffic crashes are attributed to human error. Fully autonomous vehicles have the potential to save lives by removing human error from driving. AVs could also significantly expand mobility and independence for people with disabilities who are unable to drive, improving access to employment, healthcare, and the community. Witnesses: Mr. Lars Moravy, Vice President of Vehicle Engineering, Tesla Dr. Mauricio Peña, Chief Safety Officer, Waymo Mr. Jeff Farrah, Chief Executive Officer, Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association Mr. Bryant Walker Smith, Associate Professor of Law, University of South Carolina