Waymo and other robotaxi companies are coming under increased regulatory pressure due to repeated failures in how their autonomous vehicles respond to emergency situations. Incidents have included AVs blocking ambulances and fire trucks, driving into active crime scenes, and ignoring safety signals like cones and flares. Rep. Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.) has proposed the AV Emergency Response Coordination Act, which would require these operators to establish national safety standards, emergency protocols, and a 24-hour emergency hotline accessible to first responders. The bill also seeks to enable public agencies to “geofence” autonomous vehicles, restricting their operation in specific areas during emergencies.

The proposed legislation was announced at a San Francisco press conference, with support from city officials such as Mayor Daniel Lurie and Fire Chief Dean Crispen, alongside safety advocates. Crispen highlighted issues such as robotaxis obstructing fire station entrances and ambulance deployment points, which hamper emergency access. Senator Mullin emphasized the growing problem of autonomous cars unintentionally hindering emergency responders, calling current incidents “disturbing” and “unacceptable.” The bill aims to create clearer lines of responsibility and control to ensure public safety when autonomous vehicles are involved.

Waymo has expressed support for a federal framework that standardizes emergency response coordination between autonomous vehicle operators and first responders, citing its own training and emergency protocols. However, federal regulators like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are also stepping up scrutiny. In July 2026, the NHTSA demanded AV companies present solutions after identifying a pattern of interference with emergency operations, applying pressure on Waymo, Zoox, and others to comply or face further action. San Francisco’s Mayor Lurie has additionally urged state regulators to tighten rules following high-profile incidents involving Waymo robotaxis causing traffic disruptions.

Industry critics and city leaders are calling for a more robust regulatory approach to managing autonomous vehicles amid growing deployment. The new bill would give local officials direct tools to manage AV behavior during crises, rather than leaving it to companies’ discretion. This regulatory push comes at a critical moment as autonomous taxis are being tested and deployed in major cities, including San Francisco and soon London. As robotaxi fleets expand, ensuring seamless coordination with emergency services is becoming a key safety and public trust priority.