San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie requests statewide standards for autonomous vehicles to improve performance during emergencies and major events.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has requested that the state establish unified operational standards for autonomous vehicles to ensure reliability during extraordinary conditions. The request follows significant traffic disruptions caused by Waymo robotaxis during the July 4 fireworks celebration and a major 2025 power outage. In a letter to the State Secretary of Transportation, Daniel Lurie noted that while autonomous vehicles perform well in normal conditions, they often became immobilized during heavy congestion or signal failures, blocking key streets. To address this, the mayor proposed four core requirements for manufacturers: the ability to keep people moving by relocating vehicles, real-time adaptation to changes, operational transparency with local agencies, and proven readiness through testing. Lurie argued that voluntary actions from companies are no longer sufficient as fleets grow larger. By establishing statewide regulations, California can ensure consistent expectations for how driverless cars handle large crowds and unexpected incidents, ultimately strengthening the technology rather than undermining it.