Overview
- Rep. Kevin Mullin unveiled the AV Emergency Response Coordination Act at a Tuesday news conference in San Francisco to require tighter coordination between autonomous vehicle operators and first responders.
- The proposal would require companies to provide emergency response guides, a 24-hour hotline that answers public-official calls quickly, and a process for local officials to geofence areas so AVs avoid active emergency or construction zones.
- NHTSA has told developers it sees a clear pattern of driverless cars interfering with law enforcement and other responders and set a deadline for industry fixes that has now passed, increasing pressure for formal rules.
- Waymo said it finished a six-week voluntary software recall that addressed vehicles entering closed freeway construction zones and plans to resume Bay Area freeway service after deploying updates.
- Backed by San Francisco leaders and fire officials, the bill aims to fill gaps left by California’s split regulatory system and could force clearer protocols, faster on-scene responses, and new training for firefighters and paramedics.