California DMV Approves New Rules Allowing Autonomous Vehicles to be Cited for Moving Violations
Authored by Lear Zhou via The Epoch Times
SAN FRANCISCO—Driverless vehicles such as Waymo robotaxis could now face ticketing for moving violations, as per the updated regulations on autonomous vehicles (AV) approved by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) on April 28. The aim is to improve safety, oversight, and enforcement requirements.
The new regulations empower law enforcement agencies to cite the companies owning AVs for traffic violations committed by their vehicles.
Under these rules, companies must respond to calls from emergency officials within 30 seconds, as mandated by the California Legislature’s Assembly Bill 1777.
Moreover, emergency response officials can issue electronic geofencing requests to AV manufacturers, directing their fleets to leave or avoid certain areas within two minutes. Failure to comply may lead to permit restrictions or suspension.
Jeff Farrah, CEO of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association (AVIA), praised the regulations, stating that they provide a clear pathway for AV innovators to test and deploy autonomous technology in California, ensuring safer roads and enhanced accessibility.
These rules emphasize that autonomy does not absolve companies of responsibility, according to engineering professor Ahmed Banafa. AVs must seamlessly integrate into real-world environments alongside law enforcement and pedestrians.
The regulations address concerns raised in San Francisco, including incidents of Waymo vehicles blocking intersections during a blackout and interfering with emergency response teams in 2023.
To comply, AV manufacturers must maintain a dedicated emergency response line and equip each vehicle with a two-way communication device for remote human operators to communicate with emergency responders. The deadline for compliance is July 1, 2026.
Waymo’s chief safety officer mentioned that remote human operators may intervene when robotaxis encounter unusual situations, with some operators based in the U.S. and others abroad.