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NewsNBC Bay Area — San FranciscoJuly 16, 2026United States

San Francisco Mayor Calls for New State Rules for Driverless Cars During Emergencies

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has requested that state officials establish new, unified operational standards for autonomous vehicles following traffic disruptions caused by Waymo cars during major events and power outages. The Mayor is seeking clearer regulations to ensure these vehicles can navigate extraordinary conditions without blocking city streets.

autonomous vehiclestransportationpublic safetytraffic managementSan FranciscoWaymo
Read the full story at NBC Bay Area — San Francisco

Why It Matters

The Mayor's request could lead to new California state regulations that mandate how autonomous vehicle companies must manage their fleets during emergencies and large public events to prevent traffic gridlock.

Key Facts

  • Mayor Daniel Lurie sent a letter to the State Secretary of Transportation requesting new statewide operational standards for autonomous vehicles.
  • The request follows incidents where Waymo vehicles became immobilized and blocked streets during Fourth of July celebrations and a 2025 power outage.
  • Mayor Lurie proposed four specific operational capabilities for autonomous fleets: keeping traffic moving, real-time responsiveness, operational transparency, and proven readiness before deployment.
  • Waymo stated that extreme congestion during the Fourth of July disrupted their operations and they are evaluating ways to improve resilience.
  • Waymo noted they have successfully supported major events in San Francisco, including the FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl, and NBA All-Star Weekend.
  • Waymo maintains an ongoing partnership with the City of San Francisco to collaborate on operational learnings.

Who's Mentioned

personDaniel Lurie“Mayor of San Francisco”organizationWaymo“Autonomous vehicle company”organizationState Secretary of Transportation“Recipient of the Mayor's letter”locationCalifornia“State where unified regulations are proposed”locationSan Francisco“City where incidents occurred”personAhmed Banafa“Professor and Tech Expert at San Jose State”