Vehicles: advanced driver assistance system: crash reports.

Senator Gonzalez's vehicle safety legislation would establish new crash reporting requirements for manufacturers of vehicles equipped with Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in California, creating a state-level framework that mirrors existing federal oversight protocols.

The bill requires manufacturers to report ADAS-related crashes to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within specific timeframes based on crash severity. Incidents involving fatalities, hospital transport, or vulnerable road users must be reported within one calendar day, while crashes resulting in vehicle tow-away or airbag deployment require reporting within five days. These requirements apply when ADAS was engaged within 30 seconds before or during the crash on public roads. The DMV would publish crash data on its website and transmit the information to federal transportation agencies every two months.

Manufacturers face civil penalties of $26,315 per violation per day for failing to submit required crash reports. The bill defines crashes broadly to include any physical impact between vehicles and other road users or property that results in damage, injury, or death. Monthly reporting requirements and updated crash information submissions would provide ongoing monitoring of ADAS-related incidents.

The legislation would take effect only if federal oversight under NHTSA's General Order 2021-01 is repealed without replacement, substantially amended in ways that alter its original intent, or if federal enforcement ceases. This conditional activation allows California to maintain continuous monitoring of ADAS crashes if federal requirements change.