California law will fine robotaxi operators up to $10,000 for holding up first responders

SACRAMENTO — California has a new law aimed at driverless cars that get in the way of emergency crews. Senate Bill 1246, introduced by state Sen. Dave Cortese and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, lets cities and counties take operators to court. If a driverless vehicle interferes with an emergency operation for more than 30 minutes after officials request a technician, the operator can be fined up to $10,000 per vehicle. Other violations carry fines of up to $5,000. The law takes effect in July 2028.

Operators will have to send on-site "local incident technicians" when one of their vehicles crashes, gets stuck, or blocks traffic or emergency access, or when first responders ask for help. They will also have to tell local officials where their vehicles are and what state they are in during a system-wide failure or outage, and remote drivers who can control a vehicle must be based in the United States and hold a U.S. driver's license. The state DMV, which regulates driverless vehicles, will set guidelines for parts of the law, including required response times.

Reports on the law point to robotaxis that blocked San Francisco streets during this year's Fourth of July celebrations, and to a December power outage that stalled about 1,500 of them. In July, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it had found a "clear pattern" of driverless vehicles interfering with first responders. Cortese said the state cannot embrace innovation "at the expense of public safety."

Waymo said it is committed to safer roads in California and thanked lawmakers for amendments that it said ensure operators "can still feasibly serve Californians." Waymo and Zoox both said they will comply.