> **RETRACTED** · 2026-07-24
> Duplicate ingestion of the same event as nhtsa-av-first-responder-directive-2026-07-08, the canonical record for "NHTSA AV first-responder directive (2026-07-08)". This duplicate is retracted to suppress it from aggregates; its own URL stays index,follow per the retraction fairness policy.

_Incident · Regulatory action · retracted_

# NHTSA issues call to action to AV developers over pattern of driverless AVs interfering with first responders

_Original claim above is no longer asserted. See the retraction notice for context._

Canonical ID: `abecf105-15ee-4575-b830-3b43e0a6046e`

- **Occurred:** 2026-07-08
- **Kind:** `regulatory_action`
- **Status (derived):** retracted
- **Company:** [Waymo](/companies/waymo.md) (id: `2128addc-20c8-4c31-aef5-be5ada97aede`)

On July 8, 2026, NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison issued a public call to action to automated vehicle developers, citing a pattern of driverless AVs driving into active emergency scenes, blocking ambulances and firefighters, and failing to recognize flashing lights, flares, smoke, fire, and traffic cones. NHTSA scheduled meetings with driverless ADS developers by month's end and warned it will exercise enforcement authority for developers that do not address significant safety concerns.

## Sources (1)

1. **NHTSA** · https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/av-developers-automated-vehicle-that-cannot-safely-interact-first-responders-danger · 2026-07-08

## Status history

- **retracted** · 2026-07-24
    - Duplicate ingestion of the same event as nhtsa-av-first-responder-directive-2026-07-08, the canonical record for "NHTSA AV first-responder directive (2026-07-08)". This duplicate is retracted to suppress it from aggregates; its own URL stays index,follow per the retraction fairness policy.
- **active** · 2026-07-23 · agent:recon

## Common questions

### What happened in NHTSA issues call to action to AV developers over pattern of driverless AVs interfering with first responders?

On July 8, 2026, NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison issued a public call to action to automated vehicle developers, citing a pattern of driverless AVs driving into active emergency scenes, blocking ambulances and firefighters, and failing to recognize flashing lights, flares, smoke, fire, and traffic cones. NHTSA scheduled meetings with driverless ADS developers by month's end and warned it will exercise enforcement authority for developers that do not address significant safety concerns. This incident was later retracted; see the retraction banner at the top of the page for the correction.

### When did this incident occur?

The incident is recorded as occurring on July 8, 2026 on the DEPLOY registry. The date reflects the underlying real-world event, not the registry record's creation date.

### Who was involved in NHTSA issues call to action to AV developers over pattern of driverless AVs interfering with first responders?

The incident is recorded as involving Waymo on the DEPLOY registry. No specific robot model is linked to this incident in the registry.

### Has anyone responded to NHTSA issues call to action to AV developers over pattern of driverless AVs interfering with first responders?

No responses to this incident are recorded on the DEPLOY registry. Operators, manufacturers, or affected parties can submit responses to the editorial team; absence is not a guarantee no response was issued.

### What is the current status of NHTSA issues call to action to AV developers over pattern of driverless AVs interfering with first responders?

This incident is retracted on the DEPLOY registry. The page remains so the correction reaches readers, but the incident is suppressed from aggregate counts (company / model / location) so it no longer counts against anyone.


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