WASHINGTON — As lawmakers on Capitol Hill weigh how quickly autonomous vehicles should be allowed on American roads, one critical issue remains unresolved: ensuring driverless cars can safely navigate around firefighters, EMTs, and police during emergencies.
With companies planning expanded service in major cities—including Washington—how the technology interacts with first responders on busy urban streets remains a concern.
During a recent Senate Commerce Committee hearing, lawmakers discussed establishing a national safety standard for driverless cars. Supporters argued the technology could reduce crashes caused by human error and expand mobility, but senators pressed executives from Tesla, Waymo, and other companies on safety oversight and emergency protocols.
The debate comes as Washington, D.C.’s fire department prepares for a driverless future. Deputy Chief Eric Bowers says his crews are researching what to expect and working with manufacturers on safety measures like geofencing technology that can alert autonomous vehicles to active emergency scenes.
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