AUSTIN, Texas — With more autonomous vehicles driving around Austin, first responders want to make sure the cars aren’t making more problems on the road. But because of a state law preventing local government from regulating AV companies, their hands are tied.

“Frankly, this is the wild west when it comes to autonomous vehicles,” said Cpt. Matt McElearney with the Austin Fire Department. “There is a lot of leeway that they have, and enforcement is very limited on our end.”

History of autonomous vehicles in Austin

Back in 2017, several autonomous vehicle companies started testing in Austin. That same year, Texas lawmakers passed Senate Bill 2205, restricting local entities from regulating AVs, leaving it to the state to decide the rules.

A few years later in 2023, AV company Cruise, fro

See Full Page