California cops will start ticketing robotaxis

New rules from the California Department of Motor Vehicles will allow law enforcement to issue traffic tickets to robotaxis and autonomous cars starting on July 1, reports Stevie Bonifield in The Verge.

"The updated regulations come after years of viral traffic violations and multiple safety investigations involving robotaxis," Bonifield explains. Now, police officers can give AV manufacturers a "notice of noncompliance" when their cars commit a traffic violation. 

The new rules also aim to prevent robotaxis from blocking emergency areas, requiring AV operators to answer calls from first responders within 30 seconds and allow emergency personnel to "issue electronic geofencing directives" to keep autonomous vehicles out. 

According to Bonifield, "The new regulations also allow AV companies to test and deploy heavy-duty autonomous trucks and include 'licensing qualifications and permitting and training requirements for remote drivers and assistants.'"