John Nohinek Discusses Driverless 18-Wheelers in North Texas

CBS Texas Examines Driverless 18-Wheelers on North Texas Highways

CBS Texas reporter Erin Jones examined when fully driverless 18-wheelers could begin operating on North Texas highways and what their arrival may mean for motorists sharing the road.

The report features autonomous-equipped commercial trucks operated by Volvo Autonomous Solutions from a facility in Palmer, Texas. The technology developed by Aurora Innovation currently steers, brakes, and changes lanes while the trucks travel on Interstate 45, although a person remains behind the wheel for monitoring. Volvo Autonomous Solutions told CBS Texas that it plans to begin fully driverless operations in Texas in early 2027.

John Nohinek, managing attorney with Witherite Law Group, spoke with CBS Texas about the unanswered testing and safety questions surrounding the expansion of autonomous commercial trucks.

“The major concerns are how it is being tested? Where is it being tested?” Nohinek told CBS Texas.

Nohinek noted that North Texas highways present complicated conditions that automated driving systems must be prepared to navigate.

“Everyone that drives through DFW, especially down I-20 and I-30, knows that there are barriers, lane changes, lane closures, no shoulders,” Nohinek said. “How will they react?”

The report also examines safety data from Aurora Innovation, which partnered with Volvo Autonomous Solutions to develop and manufacture autonomous commercial trucks. According to CBS Texas, Aurora reported that its technology had traveled nearly 440,000 miles without a driver behind the wheel as of June 2026, with no collisions attributed to the Aurora Driver system.

Nohinek cautioned that the reported mileage represents only a small portion of the conditions commercial trucks collectively encounter on American roads.

“That sounds impressive to anyone, but the truck drivers in America cover more than 190 billion miles a year,” Nohinek said.

As companies prepare to expand fully driverless trucking operations, questions remain about how the technology will respond to construction zones, unexpected roadway hazards, and other complex conditions encountered on North Texas highways.

Watch the video and read the full CBS Texas report: When Will Driverless 18-Wheelers Hit North Texas Highways?