U.S. Proposes Legislation to Strengthen Autonomous Vehicle Emergency Response Oversight, Mandating Nationwide Safety Standards

The U.S. Congress is moving forward with new legislation to strengthen oversight of autonomous vehicles in emergency response scenarios. Representative Kevin Mullin of California plans to introduce the "Autonomous Vehicle Emergency Response Coordination Act," which would require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to establish nationwide minimum safety standards and mandate that autonomous vehicle operators provide emergency responders with clear emergency protocols and a 24-hour contact hotline. The bill stems from multiple incidents in which self-driving cars have obstructed ambulances and fire trucks, driven into active crime scenes, and failed to recognize traffic cones, warning lights, and other safety markers. Investigations have also revealed that in some cases of vehicle malfunction, firefighters and other first responders had to manually move autonomous vehicles to restore traffic flow. The proposed legislation also authorizes local governments to implement "geofencing" controls on autonomous vehicles during emergencies or when safety risks are present, restricting their operation in specific areas. San Francisco, a key city for autonomous vehicle testing, currently operates hundreds of Waymo robotaxis. Mayor Daniel Lurie, Fire Chief Dean Crispin, and representatives from traffic safety organizations attended the bill’s unveiling event and voiced support for enhanced regulation. NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison previously sent letters to multiple autonomous vehicle companies, highlighting a clear pattern of driverless vehicles interfering with emergency personnel and demanding that companies submit solutions by the end of July. Additionally, in July this year, San Francisco experienced severe traffic congestion after multiple robotaxis ran out of battery and stalled on roadways. Mayor Lurie has since called on state regulators to enact new rules to prevent similar incidents from recurring. Waymo responded by stating its support for a unified federal regulatory framework and emphasized its ongoing training collaborations with local emergency response agencies.