California Enacts Robotaxi Safety Law Requiring First-Responder Support

TechCrunch reported that the disruptions have occurred in the early stages of the robotaxi era. On an average day in San Francisco, dozens or even hundreds of Waymo robotaxis can be seen moving around the city with little disruption. But there have been numerous incidents of robotaxis impeding traffic, driving into crime scenes, and interfering with first responders. The problems have not been limited to the Bay Area, and in some cases companies have relied on first responders to move their robotaxis. California lawmakers passed the new law hoping to get ahead of the problem before the next wave of robotaxis arrives.

Under SB 1246, autonomous vehicle technology companies will have to provide first responders with local, on-the-ground support when their robotaxis cause problems. They could also face penalties if a robotaxi blocks police or firefighters for more than 30 minutes. The law says AV developers can only employ remote drivers who are based in the United States, and those drivers must hold a U.S. driver’s license. Companies must also notify cities, towns, and other local jurisdictions about the location and status of vehicles during system-wide failures. In addition, they must provide local incident technicians who can assist with AV accidents and obstructions.

The Department of Motor Vehicles, the main regulator of autonomous vehicles in the state, will handle details that still need to be worked out. The law is scheduled to go into effect in July 2028. Whether it will actually keep robotaxis out of the way of emergency responders remains an open question. TechCrunch reported that it likely will not, but that the law is intended to reduce chaos and raise accountability when something does happen. Another question is whether other states will follow California’s lead or wait for the federal government to weigh in.