SAN DIEGO DRIVERS UNITED • SEPTEMBER 14, 2026
San Diego Drivers United Participates in Historic 8–0 Vote on Item 201
Drivers helped bring worker protections, public safety, accessibility and local oversight into San Diego’s discussion about autonomous vehicles.
San Diego Drivers United participated directly in the press conference and City Council meeting on September 14, 2026, supporting Resolution R-2027-49, Agenda Item 201. The San Diego City Council approved the resolution unanimously by an 8–0 vote.
With Appreciation
San Diego Drivers United extends its sincere appreciation to Council President Sean Elo-Rivera and Councilmember Marni von Wilpert for their leadership, support and collaboration in bringing this resolution forward. Their work created an important opportunity for drivers to participate, be heard and help shape a safer and fairer transportation future for San Diego.
Luis Arias, president and founder of San Diego Drivers United, spoke on behalf of rideshare, taxi and delivery drivers. He emphasized that the organization is not opposed to technology, but believes progress must not come at the expense of workers, public safety, accessibility, data privacy or local infrastructure.
Librado G. Rivera, co-founder and secretary of San Diego Drivers United, also participated in the public process and represented the concerns of drivers whose jobs and families may be affected by the rapid expansion of autonomous vehicles.
What the resolution does
- Calls on the State of California to give local governments greater authority to regulate autonomous vehicles.
- Supports stronger safety, accessibility, cybersecurity and worker-protection standards.
- Asks the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority to prohibit autonomous vehicle operations at San Diego International Airport.
Important clarification: the City Council resolution requests action from the Airport Authority; it did not automatically create an immediate airport ban. San Diego Drivers United will continue following the process and advocating for drivers.
Television coverage featuring our participation
These two reports are especially important to the organization’s historical record because Luis Arias appears in both. In the CBS 8 report, he is shown speaking in his blue San Diego Drivers United shirt. The NBC 7 report also documents his participation.
CBS 8 San Diego
NBC 7 San Diego
Independent news coverage
- KPBS: San Diego City Council calls for more safeguards surrounding robotaxis
- Times of San Diego: Council approves resolution on Waymo and autonomous vehicles
- The San Diego Union-Tribune: City Council tries to put the brakes on robotaxis
This vote is an important step, not the end of the work. San Diego Drivers United will continue organizing, informing the public and advocating for fair protections so that drivers have a voice in the future of transportation.
