California has halted the operation of General Motors subsidiary Cruise’s driverless vehicles in San Francisco following a serious incident involving a pedestrian. This suspension deals a significant blow to the driverless vehicle industry that has been grappling with criticism of inadequate regulations.
The decision was made by California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) after it concluded that Cruise’s vehicles are “not safe for the public’s operation” and that the company had misrepresented safety information about its autonomous technology. While specific details about the changes required for permit reinstatement have not been disclosed, Cruise has expressed its commitment to collaborating with regulators to address their concerns.
The incident in question, which occurred on October 2, involved a collision between a Cruise vehicle and a human-driven car, resulting in a female pedestrian being thrown into the path of the driverless car. Cruise asserts that its self-driving vehicle attempted to avoid the collision by swiftly swerving and braking but ultimately made contact with the pedestrian.
The vehicle then stopped momentarily but involuntarily dragged the woman an additional 20 feet. Cruise maintains that such evasive maneuvers are designed to prioritize safety and are mandated by both state and federal regulations.
Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene to extricate the victim from beneath the vehicle, and she was subsequently transported to the hospital with multiple traumatic injuries. The driver of the vehicle that initially collided with the pedestrian remains unidentified.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the leading road safety regulator in the United States, has initiated an investigation into Cruise’s autonomous driving system following reports of four incidents involving Cruise vehicles and pedestrians. Cruise has cooperated by sharing video footage and additional information related to the October 2 collision.
This is not the first time Cruise has faced challenges in San Francisco. In August, the company was instructed by the DMV to reduce the number of self-driving vehicles on the city’s streets after being involved in a series of accidents, including a collision with a fire truck that ran a red light. Concerns have also been raised about the technology’s impact on city traffic and emergency response services.
Despite the setback, Cruise remains committed to the development of its autonomous technology, including continued collaboration with regulators to address safety concerns. The suspension will remain in place indefinitely, although Cruise is still allowed to operate its vehicles with human safety drivers onboard.
