NHTSA Tells Autonomous Vehicle Developers to Address Emergency Scene Interference but Sets No Penalties

NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison issued a directive Wednesday to autonomous vehicle developers stating that their vehicles must not interfere with first responders or law enforcement. The letter identifies a clear pattern of driverless AVs driving into active emergency scenes, blocking ambulances and firefighters, and failing to recognize flashing lights, flares, smoke, fire, and traffic cones.

Morrison wrote that the inability to detect and respond appropriately represents a functional insufficiency.

Emergency scenes are not rare or extreme edge cases, the letter states, and the agency is issuing a call to action for developers and operators to focus resources on fixing the issue immediately. Developers must present their solutions by the end of the month. The letter does not name any specific company.

A prior TechCrunch investigation documented at least six incidents through March involving Waymo vehicles in which first responders took control to move the cars out of traffic during emergencies, including one response to a mass shooting. In June an officer moved a Waymo vehicle to clear a roadway for responders at a natural gas explosion at an apartment building.

The letter notes that human drivers who impede law enforcement operations face fines and jail time.

It does not specify consequences for ignoring the request or define acceptable solutions. Last week the agency released its 2026 Regulatory Plan and Unified Agenda outlining proposals to update Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.