Companies must address self-driving car interference with emergency vehicles, US says
The agency said repeated failures to detect flashing lights, flares and smoke have forced responders to move robotaxis out of emergency scenes.
- On Wednesday, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Administrator Jonathan Morrison issued a directive requiring autonomous vehicle developers to resolve interference with first responders and law enforcement.
- Morrison's letter cited a 'clear pattern' of driverless vehicles obstructing emergency scenes, failing to recognize flashing lights, flares, or ignoring traffic cones during active response operations.
- Through March, TechCrunch identified at least six incidents where first responders had to physically move Waymo vehicles, including during a mass shooting and a natural gas explosion.
- The agency demanded that developers present solutions by the end of July, warning that failing to address safety concerns could trigger enforcement actions similar to human driver penalties.
- In its 2026 Regulatory Plan, the agency also proposed easing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for purpose-built vehicles like those from Tesla and Zoox.
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16 Articles
NHTSA's Morrison: Automated vehicle developers need to address issues involving first responders
NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison joins CNBC's Phil LeBeau to discuss the agency's call for self-driving car companies to address issues at emergency scenes.
Self-driving cars called a ‘danger to the general public’ in federal warning
Jonathan Morrison, who heads the U.S. vehicle regulatory agency, said in a letter to the industry that NHTSA has documented multiple instances of AVs driving into active emergency scenes
Self-Driving Cars Under Scrutiny for Emergency Scene Interference
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has raised concerns about self-driving cars interfering with emergency responders. NHTSA highlights the urgent need to address the vehicles' failure to detect safety signals, compromising public safety. Companies like Waymo are under investigation for multiple incidents blocking emergency routes.
NHTSA demands autonomous vehicle companies fix first responder interference by end of July
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a directive on Wednesday demanding autonomous vehicle developers present solutions to a “clear pattern” of driverless vehicles interfering with first responders and law enforcement. Administrator Jonathan Morrison said vehicles have driven into active emergency scenes, blocked ambulances and firefighters, and failed to recognise flashing lights, flares, smoke, fire, […] This story continu…
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