California has become a major testing ground for the fast-growing robotaxi industry. Now, the state is setting tougher rules that aim to address incidents in which driverless cars interfere with first responders. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new law this week that strengthens the state’s oversight and emergency-response rules for autonomous vehicles, including new penalties for companies whose vehicles get in the way during emergencies.
“California has embraced autonomous vehicles, but we cannot embrace innovation at the expense of public safety. When an autonomous vehicle crashes, breaks down, blocks a roadway in an emergency, or gets in the way of law enforcement or first responders, there must be clear accountability,” state Sen. Dave Cortese, who introduced the bill, said in a press release.
Under the law, autonomous vehicle companies must dispatch on-site workers, known as “local incident technicians,” when a vehicle crashes, gets stuck, blocks traffic or emergency access, or when first responders request help. Companies must also notify local officials about the status and location of vehicles affected by a system failure or outage. Remote drivers who can control an AV must also now be based in the United States.
