Self-Driving Cars Are Interfering With First Responders. Feds Aren’t Happy

NHTSA administrator Jonathan Morris called reports of self-driving cars entering emergency scenes and blocking ambulances and firefighters “unacceptable.” The comment signals heightened scrutiny/regulatory pressure around autonomous vehicle safety practices, which could increase compliance and liability risk for affected operators.

Analysis

NHTSA administrator Jonathan Morris called reports of self-driving cars entering emergency scenes and blocking ambulances and firefighters “unacceptable.” The comment signals heightened scrutiny/regulatory pressure around autonomous vehicle safety practices, which could increase compliance and liability risk for affected operators.