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

Washington, D.C. - In response to hazardous cases of autonomous vehicles (AV) blocking emergency responders from helping people in danger, driving through construction zones, failing during power outages, and contributing to large-scale traffic jams, U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15) is introducing the AV Emergency Response Coordination Act.

Rep. Mullin announced the bill at a joint press conference in San Francisco alongside Mayor Daniel Lurie, Fire Department Chief Dean M. Crispen, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety President Cathy Chase, Police Chief Derrick Lew, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Director Julie Kirschbaum, San Francisco County Transportation Authority Executive Director Tilly Chang and Department of Emergency Management Deputy Director Adrienne Bechelli.

The bill would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to establish minimum safety standards and protocols requiring AV operators to improve how they work with local public safety personnel.

"Seconds count during a crisis, and we've seen too many terrifying incidents of AVs interfering with police, fire fighters, and paramedics. Public officials have been asked to be guinea pigs in figuring out how to interact with this emerging technology. AV companies have to do better. While it is exciting that the Bay Area is leading the nation in autonomous vehicle innovation, recent disruptions like widespread power outages or the holiday traffic fiasco on Fourth of July in San Francisco, have shown how malfunctions can hamper emergency response," said Rep. Mullin. "Autonomous vehicles have tremendous potential to improve safety on our roads, but federal regulators need to make sure they're not inadvertently getting in the way of emergency responders and that public officials are able to quickly work with AVs in an emergency."

The list of incidents involving emergency responders is mounting in cities across the United States where driverless vehicles are operating, including in Austin, Pheonix, Las Vegas, Dallas, San Francisco and others. Across these locations, there have been reports of AVs obstructing ambulances and paramedics, driving into active crime scenes, blocking fire trucks, and failing to recognize basic safety conditions like flashing lights, flares, smoke, and traffic cones. AV companies are also not providing sufficient information and training to emergency responders to ensure the safety of vehicle occupants, pedestrians, and other road users when there are collisions, malfunctions, and other incidents involving AVs.

Rep. Mullin's AV Emergency Response Coordination Act is the first legislation of its kind to directly address this issue, which has bipartisan interest. The Trump Administration's NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison recently sent a letter to AV companies demanding that they address the issue of AVs interfering with first responders and law enforcement.

Specifically, the AV Emergency Response Coordination Act would:

• Require AV companies to provide clear, standardized emergency response protocols for first responders;

• Establish a 24/7 hotline for public officials to communicate directly with AV companies during autonomous vehicle incidents;

• Direct NHTSA to develop minimum national emergency response standards across AV operators; and

• Create a process for public officials to issue "geofence notices" so that AVs avoid certain areas during an emergency or while there is an ongoing safety hazard.

"Emergency responders must be able to reach people in danger or distress without being delayed or obstructed by autonomous vehicles (AV). The AV Emergency Response Coordination Act would establish much-needed, commonsense federal standards for coordination between AV companies and emergency personnel. Advancing innovation cannot threaten public safety. We commend Rep. Kevin Mullin for introducing this important legislation and urge Congress to enact it," said Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

"San Francisco is the global center of innovation, and we've been on the cutting edge of autonomous vehicles and street safety. Because we were one of the first cities to welcome autonomous vehicles at scale, we have learned more than almost any other city about how they operate in a dense, complex urban environment," said San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. "This legislation will help keep San Franciscans safe while taking the lessons we've learned to the rest of the country. My number one priority is public safety, and I want to thank Congressman Mullin for his leadership in supporting our first responders so they can do that critical work."

"A top priority of the San Francisco Fire Department is ensuring that our personnel can respond quickly and safely to emergencies. During several recent large-scale events we have experienced challenges involving autonomous vehicles. We have been working closely with AV companies and welcome this technology, provided it is deployed in a manner that supports public safety and emergency response operations. We appreciate Representative Mullin introducing thoughtful legislation that will move our mission of public safety forward," said San Francisco Fire Department Chief Dean M. Crispen.

"I want to thank Congressman Kevin Mullin for his leadership and his steadfast commitment to ensuring public safety as autonomous vehicle technology continues to evolve," said San Francisco County Transportation Authority Chair and District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar. "This timely legislation recognizes that advancing innovation must be matched by strong standards for emergency management and preparedness. The San Francisco County Transportation Authority looks forward to working alongside Congressman Mullin, our public safety partners, and the autonomous vehicle industry to ensure first responders have the tools, information, and coordination they need to protect our communities."

Rep. Mullin has prioritized strengthening oversight and transparency around the development of driverless cars, including previously introducing the AV Safety Data Act, which would require companies to collect and report key safety data to NHTSA. He has also authored several letters urging the agency to require more comprehensive reporting on AV operations, safety incidents, and performance data.

A copy of the full AV Emergency Response Coordination Act text can be found here.

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