Rep. Mullin Introduces Bill to Standardize Autonomous Vehicles Protocol During Emergencies

U.S. Representative Kevin Mullin has introduced the AV Emergency Response Coordination Act to establish national safety standards for how autonomous vehicles interact with emergency personnel. The legislation directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to create protocols that prevent driverless cars from obstructing first responders during crises. This move addresses a growing number of incidents where autonomous vehicles have hindered police, fire, and medical services in major urban centers across the United States.

The proposed legislation comes in response to a series of hazardous incidents in cities such as San Francisco, Austin, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Dallas, where autonomous vehicles (AVs) have reportedly blocked ambulances, entered active crime scenes, and failed to recognize emergency signals like flares and flashing lights. Representative Mullin, joined by San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and Fire Chief Dean M. Crispen, emphasized that the bill aims to move beyond the current state where public officials act as "guinea pigs" for emerging technology. The act specifically targets malfunctions observed during large-scale events, including power outages and significant traffic congestion incidents like the Fourth of July disruptions in San Francisco.

Under the AV Emergency Response Coordination Act, the NHTSA would be mandated to develop minimum safety standards requiring AV operators to improve coordination with local public safety departments. This includes providing better training and information to emergency responders regarding vehicle occupants and pedestrian safety during collisions or technical failures. The bill has garnered support from groups like the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, whose president, Cathy Chase, noted that innovation must not come at the expense of public safety. Additionally, the legislation aligns with recent federal pressure, such as a letter from NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison demanding that AV firms address interference with first responders.

This legislative effort builds on Representative Mullin’s previous work to increase transparency in the industry, including the AV Safety Data Act, which sought to mandate the collection of performance and incident data. Local leaders in San Francisco, often considered a testing ground for the industry, have voiced strong support for federal intervention to standardize these protocols nationwide. San Francisco County Transportation Authority Chair Myrna Melgar and other officials highlighted that while the technology offers potential safety benefits, current operational gaps necessitate a structured framework to ensure first responders have the tools and information required to manage emergency scenes involving driverless fleets.