What regulations will be needed when driverless taxis start operating in New Orleans -- as early as next year? Members of the New Orleans City Council will look into it today.
New Orleans City Council President J.P. Morrell says the city cannot afford to make the mistakes it has made trying to regulate emerging companies like AirBnB and Uber.
"When you wait for those industries to regulate themselves, they break your city," said Morrell. "If you want to operate in our city as an industry, you are subject to our regulations. And those regulations are going to protect people, their property, and to create a level playing field."
Morrell says Waymo, Tesla, and other companies that want to set up driverless taxis will have to follow the same rules for human-driven cabs.
"I don't think Waymo cabs should have more rights than cab drivers and cabs driven by people," Morrell said. "If a cop can ticket you for running a red light, if a cop can ticket you for blocking traffic, why in the hell should a Waymo care have more rights than you?"
Can a driverless taxi get a traffic ticket? New Orleans takes up regulations
Los Angeles, California – July 1, 2026: Waymo Zeekr RT autonomous robotaxi operating on a city street
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By Chris Miller
Nov 12, 2026, 06:06 AM CT
Chris Miller
Chris Miller has been with WWL since 2000, after coming over from Biloxi following a three-year stint in television and radio on the Mississippi…
