When the Driver Is a Computer, Who Pays the Fine?
In a quiet San Bruno, California suburb over the weekend, two police officers witnessed something increasingly common—and legally confounding: a driverless Waymo taxi making an illegal U-turn. When they pulled it over, they faced an empty driver’s seat and a bureaucratic dead end.
“Our citation books don’t have a box for ‘robot’,” the San Bruno Police Department dryly noted in a Facebook post.
California’s Patchwork Policy
Last year, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law allowing police to issue “notices of autonomous vehicle noncompliance” for traffic violations by driverless cars. But here’s the catch: the law includes no penalties—and doesn’t even take effect until July 1, 2026.
Autonomous Vehicles vs. Traffic Law: A Timeline of Confusion
| Year | Milestone | Legal Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Waymo and Cruise expand robotaxi services in SF Bay Area | No legal framework for violations |
| 2024 | California passes AV citation law (AB 1234) | Allows notices—but no fines or enforcement |
| 2025 | Illegal U-turn incident in San Bruno | Police unable to issue ticket |
| 2026 (July 1) | New law takes effect | Still no defined penalties—regulators still drafting rules |
Key Stakeholders in the AV Accountability Gap
- Law Enforcement: Frustrated by lack of actionable protocols
- Autonomous Vehicle Operators (e.g., Waymo, Cruise): Not legally liable for minor infractions today
- State Regulators: Racing to build frameworks that balance innovation and public safety
- Local Governments: Facing rising complaints about erratic AV behavior
What Happens Next?
Until 2026—and likely beyond—autonomous vehicles will operate in a legal twilight zone. As Sgt. Scott Smithmatungol of the San Bruno Police put it: “Enforcement feels like it’s still in the beta-testing stage.”
This regulatory lag raises urgent questions: Should fines go to the manufacturer? The software developer? The remote human monitor? Without clear answers, every illegal U-turn becomes a symbol of a system playing catch-up with technology.
Sources
- The New York Times: “When a Driverless Car Makes an Illegal U-Turn, Who Gets the Ticket?”
- San Bruno Police Department Facebook Statement (October 2025)
- California Department of Motor Vehicles – Autonomous Vehicle Regulations (2024)
