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Bill

AB 2502

Vehicles: driving under the influence: driving automation.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Juan Alanis and 1 co-sponsor

AB 2502 clarifies DUI liability when drivers use autonomous vehicle technology, establishing when impaired drivers remain legally responsible despite active automation features.

Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
#vehicles #drivingautomation #drivingundertheinfluence
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Bill Summary · AB 2502

Legislative bill overview

AB 2502 addresses the legal and regulatory intersection between driving under the influence (DUI) laws and autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle technology. The bill clarifies how DUI statutes apply when a vehicle has active driving automation features, establishing standards for when a driver can be held liable for impaired operation of such vehicles.

Why is this important

As autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles become more common on California roads, legal ambiguity exists about whether a driver using Level 2 or Level 3 automation features can be prosecuted for DUI if they're impaired but the vehicle is self-driving. This bill provides clarity for law enforcement, prosecutors, and drivers about liability, safety standards, and legal responsibilities—directly affecting how DUI laws function in an era of emerging vehicle technology.

Potential points of contention

  • Technology classification disputes: Disagreement over what constitutes "active driving automation" and where responsibility shifts between human and machine, since manufacturers and engineers may define automation levels differently than the law does
  • Liability loopholes: Concerns that the bill could create unintended ways for impaired drivers to evade DUI prosecution by claiming automation features were engaged, versus concerns that it unfairly criminalizes drivers in vehicles with unreliable automation systems
  • Implementation burden: Questions about whether law enforcement has the technical expertise and tools to determine whether automation was actually engaged during an incident, and how vehicle data will be accessed and verified in court

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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