California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 1246, establishing penalties for robotaxi companies if their vehicles block first responders for more than 30 minutes during emergencies. The law, effective July 1, 2028, addresses concerns raised by incidents like Waymo vehicles stranded in San Francisco after a power outage in December 2025 and a Waymo car blocking an ambulance in Austin, Texas. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration previously highlighted a pattern of autonomous vehicles interfering with emergency services.
Under the new law, operators must provide on-site local incident technicians and use US-based remote human drivers with US licenses. Companies must also notify local authorities of vehicle locations during system failures and report response times. The legislation aims to ensure driverless cars do not hinder emergency services, with ample time given for compliance.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing