California to Fine Self-Driving Taxis That Obstruct Emergency Responders

California is preparing to tighten oversight of self-driving taxis after a new law was signed to prevent the vehicles from blocking emergency responders’ access to incident scenes.

The law targets obstruction by autonomous taxis, with fines aimed at ensuring the vehicles do not interfere with emergency crews trying to reach people in need.

The measure focuses on how driverless taxi services operate around emergency situations, where blocked access can hamper a response.

It places emergency access at the center of the state’s latest oversight effort, requiring self-driving taxi operations to account for the needs of responding crews.

Details of the fine amounts and when the new rules will take effect were not provided in the announcement.