Feds want to regulate drivers when the driver is the car

WASHINGTON (AP) — Obama administration officials say the federal government, rather than states, should be in charge of regulating self-driving cars since the vehicles are essentially controlled by software, not people.

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx says states have historically set the rules for licensing drivers, but when the driver becomes a computer "we intend to occupy the field here." He said states should stick to regulating human drivers and questions of liability.

Administration officials laid out the broad outlines of guidance to automakers and states in a conference call with reporters. They said greater detail would be provided at a news conference Tuesday.

Automakers would also be allowed to self-certify the safety of autonomous vehicles while following a 15-point government blueprint.