California will fine robotaxi companies if their vehicles block first responders

California will fine robotaxi companies if their vehicles block first responders, such as ambulances and fire trucks, for more than 30 minutes in case of emergencies. The law, signed into effect by Governor Gavin Newsom, establishes local penalties for companies that cause such obstructions. The law will take effect on July 1, 2028, and requires operators to provide an on-site contact for emergency responders, who will be called "local incident technicians." These technicians will be able to assist with AV accidents and obstructions immediately, and they will be required to use US-based remote human drivers holding US driver's licenses.

• The law aims to address concerns that driverless cars could hinder emergency services from responding in a timely manner.
• Several incidents, including a power outage in San Francisco and a traffic jam in Austin, have raised concerns about the safety and reliability of robotaxi systems.
• SB 1246 requires robotaxi companies to notify local authorities about the location and status of their vehicles during system-wide failures.
• Companies will have to issue additional reporting on their response times to incidents involving their vehicles.

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