Major Victory for Public Safety as Accountability, Oversight, and Emergency-Response Standards Governing Autonomous Vehicles is Signed into Law

SACRAMENTO, CA — Governor Newsom has signed Senator Dave Cortese’s (D-San Jose) landmark legislation, Senate Bill 1246, into law, strengthening accountability, oversight, and emergency-response standards governing autonomous vehicles (AV).

As autonomous vehicles continue to expand across California, SB 1246 prioritizes public safety and emergency response standards.

The bill establishes statewide standards for remote AV operations, improves communication with first responders, and gives local emergency personnel the assistance they need when autonomous vehicles obstruct traffic or interfere with emergency operations.

“California has embraced autonomous vehicles, but we cannot embrace innovation at the expense of public safety.

“Our communities need clear, consistent standards to ensure that AVs never get in the way of first responders or put public safety at risk.