Waymo, robotaxi operators face fresh scrutiny over emergency response failures

U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.) unveiled legislation Tuesday that would direct federal regulators to set minimum national safety standards for autonomous vehicle operators following incidents in which robotaxis blocked emergency responders, Mullin said during a press conference in San Francisco. The AV Emergency Response Coordination Act would require companies to provide clear emergency protocols for first responders, establish a 24-hour hotline for public officials, and direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to develop national emergency response standards. The bill would also create a process allowing public officials to geofence autonomous vehicles, placing limits on where they can operate during emergencies or safety hazards. San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen said a pattern of continued behavior shows changes are needed, noting robotaxis pick up and drop off passengers directly in front of fire stations and ambulance deployment facilities, obstructing emergency access. Mayor Daniel Lurie said residents must trust that police and fire departments can reach them in an emergency. Waymo said it has long supported a federal framework to establish standards and similarly supports efforts to standardize how developers engage with first responders. NHTSA administrator Jonathan Morrison sent a letter to AV developers in early July identifying a clear pattern of driverless vehicles interfering with law enforcement and other first responders and demanding solutions by the end of the month.