How do first responders handle increasing vehicle automation?

The automated technologies currently integrated into vehicles, and those planned for the future, are intended to reduce driver input and lessen the potential for human error. The rollout of these advanced technologies will be iterative – highways will be shared by conventional and advanced automated vehicles for years to come.

This process slowly adds to the complexities faced by first responders who must interact with all types of vehicles in the performance of their duties. When a motor vehicle crash occurs, first responders bravely jump into action, extricating vehicle occupants, administering lifesaving first aid, directing traffic, investigating the cause, clearing the scene and much more. But the police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and public safety responders that crash victims rely on face new and unique hazards as more vehicles take to U.S. roads that have vehicle automation and driver assistance features.

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) released a new report that examines how law enforcement officials and other first responders as well as crash scene investigators can better prepare for automated vehicle technology by highlighting curriculum recommendations to improve training on rapidly changing safety protocols. The report – Law Enforcement, First Responder and Crash Investigation Preparation for Automated Vehicle Technology – was produced by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) and made possible by a grant from State Farm^®.