RIDE

07/14/2026

07/14/2026

From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay, we share the places, experiences, and local gems that make Virginia worth exploring.

07/14/2026

The D.C. Council is considering legislation that would allow autonomous vehicles, including robotaxis, to operate commercially in the District.

A public hearing Monday on the Autonomous Vehicle Deployment Authorization Act of 2026 would create a permitting program through the D.C. Department of Transportation, require safety and emergency response plans, cap fleets at 200 vehicles through Jan. 1, 2028, and impose a 15-cent-per-mile tax on driverless vehicles.

Supporters say autonomous vehicles can improve safety, expand rideshare access, and better serve people with disabilities. Opponents, including labor unions representing Uber and Lyft drivers, argue the technology threatens jobs and could reduce driver earnings, citing Waymo’s rapid market growth in San Francisco. Unions plan to protest outside the Wilson Building ahead of Monday’s hearing.