The streets of California They are increasingly accustomed to seeing vehicles that circulate without anyone at the wheel. What until recently seemed like a futuristic scene is now part of daily traffic in several cities in the state. Now, the authorities want to make it clear that this technology must also respond when it fails to comply with the regulations.
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Starting July 1, 2026the Californian police will be authorized to issue sanctions directly against autonomous vehicles that commit traffic violations. The decision comes after the approval of Invoice 1777a new legislation that seeks to regulate the growth of this type of transportation and reinforce road safety.
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The measure especially targets fleets operated by companies such as Waymo or Zooxwhose vehicles already circulate regularly in different urban sectors. The main change is that officers will no longer need to physically stop the car to record the violation.
This is how fines will work
The new system creates a specific mechanism for this type of vehicles. When an autonomous car breaks a traffic rule, agents will be able to record data such as the time, location and license plate of the vehicle.
This information will be sent later to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, known as DMVwho will notify the operator responsible for the unit.
The new regulations also solve one of the great practical problems of this technology. Until now, there was a question of how to sanction a car that does not have a driver and that can continue circulating without stopping. With this model, the responsibility will fall directly on the operating company.
Furthermore, in the event of an accident where the autonomous vehicle is responsible, the company must send a representative to the scene of the incident to collaborate with the authorities and address the situation immediately.
More demands for emergency situations
Invoice 1777 is not limited only to traffic fines. The law also incorporates new obligations related to emergencies and police operations.
Companies must have an exclusive telephone line to respond to incidents and queries from firefighters, police or rescue teams. They will also be required to implement two-way communication systems so that first responders can speak with human operators in real time.
Another key point is related to restricted areas due to accidents, fires or police investigations. Autonomous vehicles must automatically respect geographic blocks and react in less than two minutes when there are street closures or restricted areas.
The measure appears after several complaints registered in American cities, where some robotaxis ended up interfering in emergency procedures.
More tests and alterations for companies
The new legislation also raises the requirements for companies that want to expand operations with autonomous vehicles.
Depending on the size and weight of the car, Operators will be required to demonstrate up to 500,000 miles of testing before receiving additional authorizations to expand their services.
Companies will also have to submit annual plans on interaction with emergency teams and meet stricter standards for technical reporting and transparency.
The authorities consider that these measures are necessary after several incidents that put the reliability of some autonomous driving systems under scrutiny. Californiawhich today is one of the main laboratories of this technology in the world, wants to maintain the development of innovation, but with much clearer rules for everyone.
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