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This handout image provided May 28, 2014 by Google, shows a self-drivinga two-seat prototype vehicle conceived and designed by Google. Google unveiled plans to build its own self-driving car that it hopes to begin testing in the coming months.

(Handout/AFP/Getty Images)

TRENTON — Could KITT from "Knight Rider" soon be shooting down the Turnpike?

How about Herbie the Love Bug? Or, heaven forbid, Christine?

New Jersey could soon be ready to give the OK to real self-driving cars, even if they don’t have personalities like the TV show and movie models, under a bill that today began advancing in the Legislature.

The bill (S734), which was approved by the state Senate Transportation Committee 5-0, would require the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to establish a program to allow people to obtain endorsements on their driver's licenses to operate and test "autonomous vehicles," which aren't on the consumer market yet but have been under research and development by tech companies and institutions for years.

“This legislation sends a strong message to innovators and job creators that New Jersey is not afraid of being the home to new thinking and the way of the future,” Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R-Union), said in a statement. “…this legislation is essential to attract and retain new jobs, innovation and entrepreneurship in New Jersey, as driverless vehicle efforts here continue to progress.”

The idea is to input an address in a car’s computer system and let the technology do the work.

David "The Hoff" Hasselhoff, star of NBC's series, "Knight Rider," is shown in this 1985 file photo with his modified black 1982 Pontiac Trans Am, KITT. Though clearly an expert on self-driving cars, "The Hoff" was not invited to testify at today's hearing

The bill would also require the commission to establish regulations on the vehicles, including their registration, minimum safety standards, testing requirements and any restrictions on their use.

If the bill becomes law, New Jersey would not be the first state to regulate the cars’ use. California, Nevada, Michigan and Florida have already passed laws on the topic.

At the committee hearing, those testifying – including academics and insurance company executives – said the new technology has the promise to dramatically reduce accidents, most of which are caused by human error, and could result in fuel savings and decreased congestion.

Alain Kornhauser, professor of operations research and financial engineering at Princeton University, said it’s especially helpful when more and more crashes are caused by drivers distracted by smartphones.

"If we don't want to remain focused and vigilant on the task of driving properly, it may well be time we turn to technology for help," he said.

Michael Scrudato of Princeton-based Munich Reinsurance America, said autonomous cars have "the potential to save lives, reduce accidents, improve fuel economies and improve road safety."

But representatives for auto manufacturers opposed the measure, saying the technology is too far off for regulation.

“This technology right now we feel is premature, it’s unnecessary and has the potential to really stifle creative innovation in this field,” said Craig Orlan, a state relations specialist for Honda North America.

Orlan stressed that carmakers are already incorporating automated features into the cars, such as lane watch assist and adaptive cruise control.

“That’s where the technology is right now,” Orlan said. “To get into autonomous is really jumping the gun. ... We don’t know what it’s going to look like in 10 or 15 years.”

This was the bill’s first legislative hurdle to becoming law. It would still need to pass the full state Senate and state Assembly, and then be signed by Gov. Chris Christie.

Matt Friedman may be reached at mfriedman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattFriedmanSL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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