A group of activists known as “Safe Street Rebel” have been immobilizing autonomous vehicles in San Francisco by placing traffic cones on them. The move is part of their protest against the proliferation of driverless cars in the city.
The group believes that these vehicles pose a threat rather than complement more environmental mobility solutions such as public transit and active mobility. They argue that the push from auto and tech companies for autonomous vehicles is detrimental to public transit.
This stance has been reinforced by several incidents where autonomous vehicles, owned by companies like Cruise and Waymo, have caused disruptions. Reports of the vehicles stalling and blocking traffic, interfering with first responders, and even hitting a dog have fueled the belief that these vehicles are not safe.
In response to the “Cone-ning” of their vehicles, Waymo labeled the act as vandalism and stated that it encourages unsafe and disrespectful behavior on roadways. They intend to notify law enforcement of any such interferences.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), while not endorsing actions that increase the number of disabled autonomous vehicles on the streets, has pointed out that a technician has to reset the car’s system each time this happens.
Despite the protests, state regulators appear set to approve the expansion of autonomous vehicles in San Francisco. The California Public Utilities Commission is due to convene again next week. This incident underscores the ongoing debate about the implementation of autonomous vehicles and their impact on public safety and existing transportation infrastructures.