NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison issued a directive to autonomous vehicle developers on July 8, 2026, demanding solutions to interference with first responders by the end of July 2026. The directive states that it is unacceptable for autonomous vehicles to interfere with first responders or law enforcement.

NHTSA identified a pattern of driverless autonomous vehicles interfering with law enforcement and first responders. Instances cited include autonomous vehicles driving into active emergency scenes, blocking ambulances and firefighters, or failing to respond to flashing lights, flares, smoke, fire, and traffic cones. Morrison stated, "Let me be clear: the inability to detect and appropriately respond to such situations represents a functional insufficiency."

Morrison said, "As such, NHTSA is today issuing a call to action for AV developers and operators to immediately focus their resources on fixing this issue." He added, "Every second matters when law enforcement officers, firefighters, or paramedics are answering a call because lives are on the line." He also noted that human drivers who impede these operations are subject to fines and even jail time.

The directive does not explicitly name any specific company. However, a previous investigation identified at least six incidents through March 2026 where first responders had to take control of Waymo vehicles and move them during emergency situations. Waymo operates the largest robotaxi fleet in the United States, with vehicles in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco. In one incident, an officer responded to a mass shooting while dealing with a Waymo vehicle. In June 2026, an officer moved a Waymo vehicle to unblock a roadway for first responders heading to a natural gas explosion at an apartment building. Waymo declined to comment on the directive.

The directive does not specify consequences if the request is ignored, nor does it outline what constitutes acceptable solutions. NHTSA released a 2026 Regulatory Plan and Unified Agenda on July 1, 2026, outlining its proposals.

Why It Matters

The directive from NHTSA addresses a series of reported incidents where autonomous vehicles have created obstacles for emergency services. This issue affects public safety operations, where timely access and clear pathways are critical for first responders. The demand for solutions by the end of July 2026 places an immediate requirement on autonomous vehicle developers to integrate improvements that prevent interference with emergency scenes.