SF may soon fine autonomous vehicle companies for impeding emergency response

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco first responders are raising concerns about autonomous vehicles blocking emergency routes and delaying response times, prompting city leaders to explore additional accountability measures for self-driving car companies.

The concerns come three years after the California Public Utilities Commission allowed Waymo and Cruise to expand self-driving vehicle operations in San Francisco. Since then, hundreds of autonomous vehicles have become part of daily life in the city, but firefighters say they have also created challenges during some emergency responses.

"Anytime we are blocked by any autonomous vehicle that matters, and we don't want that to continue to happen," said Mariano Elias of the San Francisco Fire Department.

The department has been documenting incidents involving autonomous vehicles for years, according to Elias.

"We have 31 internal documents -- a document written by one of our officers that is sent to a deputy chief of the department and the deputy chief of the department is collecting that data and then meeting with the autonomous vehicles company," Elias said.

In 2023, a driverless Cruise vehicle collided with a firetruck in San Francisco, sending one passenger to the hospital. More recently, during the Fourth of July holiday, multiple Waymo vehicles ran out of battery power and had to be towed to clear traffic.

MORE: July 4 Waymo gridlock in SF after dozens choke streets, some lose power, 1 ran over lit fireworks

Fire officials say such incidents can complicate emergency responses.

When asked what firefighters do when a Waymo vehicle blocks their path to an emergency, Elias said crews try to maneuver around the vehicle when possible.

"If there is enough room, we try to go around. There have been reported instances when our fire engines are nose to nose with a Waymo, and what happens is the Waymo realizes our sirens are on but stops," Elias said.

Firefighters can also scan QR codes on Waymo vehicles to report problems when the vehicles block emergency access. However, Elias said the system is not always effective.

"It does work at times, but other times, it doesn't," he said.

MORE: Woman injured after being struck by SF hit-and-run driver, trapped under autonomous car, Cruise says

San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan is advocating for legislation that would impose financial consequences on autonomous vehicle companies when their vehicles interfere with emergency operations.

In a statement, Chan said, "We are working on legislation with the goal to, first, identify the public safety risks created by the faulty autonomous vehicle technology, and second, create a cost recovery fee for instances where an autonomous vehicle causes a false emergency report or impedes emergency response."

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said city officials are working with autonomous vehicle companies to address the issue.

"We need our first responders to be safe. We need them to help our residents safely. And so, these companies need to do better," Lurie said.

Asked about the plan moving forward, the mayor said: "Well, we've seen improvements over the last couple of years. They're always working with us. I'm happy working with our fire chief and our Department of Emergency Management to make sure that they are getting what they need from these companies like Waymo."

Chan's office said the city attorney is drafting the proposed legislation, which is expected to be presented to the full Board of Supervisors in the coming months. Her office hopes the measure will take effect later this year.