COLUMBUS, Ohio - Gov. John Kasich signed an executive order Wednesday morning that will allow companies to test autonomous vehicles on all public roads in Ohio.

Kasich, a Republican, said he hopes the move will zoom Ohio to the front of the pack in the autonomous vehicle industry, creating jobs and keeping college graduates in the state. He also believes the industry's promise that the vehicles will make roads safer - resulting in fewer traffic accidents, injuries and fatalities.

To test on Ohio roads, a company would be required to register with the state, providing information on the vehicle and roadway intended for testing. The vehicle would have to meet certain safety standards and be capable of complying with Ohio traffic law. Each car must have a company employee behind the wheel who has a valid driver's license. The operators would have to monitor the vehicle at all times and report any accidents that occur.

Kasich's order also allows driverless vehicles to be tested in Ohio. Companies would have to notify the state and city where testing is occurring that the vehicle doesn't have a driver.

"We're not going to permit, by the way at least as long as I'm here, communities to start blocking this," Kasich said, referring to his term ending as governor.

Kasich's order also creates a voluntary pilot program for communities interested in vehicle testing. They could work with the state to create an inventory of testing locations that offer a variety of traffic and terrain scenarios.

Kasich lost his parents in a traffic accident. They were killed by a drunken driver. He said the safety promises of the technology give him hope.

The Republican described watching with envy as other communities, such as his hometown of Pittsburgh, inked deals with autonomous vehicle companies for testing and technology development. He asked his team to create a plan to make Ohio attractive to the companies. In January, the state unveiled Drive Ohio, which is where the companies will register to test.

Then there was a fatality near Phoenix with an autonomous vehicle.

But Kasich said he believes the cars are the future and if Ohio doesn't compete for the business, it will lose out.