Attorney Amy Witherite: New Study Raises Urgent Concerns About First Responder Safety Amid Autonomous Vehicle Expansion in Texas

By: Witherite Law Group via Business Wire

July 01, 2025 at 10:00 AM EDT

A groundbreaking new report released by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute has highlighted urgent gaps in training, policy, and emergency preparedness as autonomous vehicles (AVs) increasingly share Texas roadways with the public. The study, First Responder Interactions with Automated Vehicles: An Identification of Needs and Strategies, calls for immediate action to better prepare first responders for incidents involving AVs, many of which are already operating without human drivers on Texas roads.

Attorney and traffic safety advocate Amy Witherite, of Witherite Law Group, responded to the study's findings with concern:

“This report makes clear that we are putting both the public and first responders at serious risk. Without proper training, guidelines, and coordination, a traffic stop or crash involving an AV could quickly spiral into a dangerous situation. Policymakers must act now to address these gaps before lives are lost.”

Among the report's key findings:

There is currently no statewide training standard for police, fire, EMS, or tow operators on how to interact safely with AVs.
Many first responders lack basic information, such as how to identify an AV or how to contact its operator in an emergency.
AVs often fail to respond to hand signals or directions at crash scenes, creating potential hazards at active emergency scenes.
Emergency response procedures for AVs are not standardized, and manufacturers are not required to share safety guides or contact info with responders.

In Texas legislation set to take effect September 1, 2025, introduces long-needed regulations — including operating permits and emergency response plans for AV operators — Witherite warns the legislation is a “first step, not a solution.”

“While limited in scope these changes are a sign that Texas is beginning to recognize the problem, but we still have a long road ahead,” said Witherite. “We need statewide training programs, stronger enforcement, and full transparency from AV companies. These vehicles are already on the roads — and we can’t afford to let innovation outpace safety.”

The report also stresses that full training and equipping the thousands of public safety personnel who may encounter AVs will take years, not months. In the meantime, communities remain vulnerable to incidents where neither responders nor the public are prepared to deal with autonomous technology in crisis situations.

Witherite calls on Texas lawmakers, the Department of Transportation, and AV developers to work collaboratively and urgently to protect first responders and the public. As this new era of transportation unfolds, safety must not be an afterthought.

The Witherite Law Group specializes in vehicle accident cases and offers crucial support for individuals involved in accidents with driverless vehicles. For more information visit their website. www.witheritelaw.com.