NHTSA demands autonomous vehicle companies fix first responder interference by end of July
TL;DR
NHTSA issued a directive demanding AV developers fix first responder interference by end of July. It cited vehicles blocking ambulances and ignoring flares.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a directive on Wednesday demanding autonomous vehicle developers present solutions to a “clear pattern” of driverless vehicles interfering with first responders and law enforcement. Administrator Jonathan Morrison said vehicles have driven into active emergency scenes, blocked ambulances and firefighters, and failed to recognise flashing lights, flares, smoke, fire, and traffic cones.
“Let me be clear: the inability to detect and appropriately respond to such situations represents a functional insufficiency,” Morrison wrote. “Emergency scenes are not rare or extreme ‘edge cases.’” The agency has demanded AV developers present their solutions by the end of July.
The letter does not name specific companies, but the details point toward Waymo, which operates the largest robotaxi fleet in the...
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