San Francisco faced unusual traffic disruption on Wednesday when a disabled Cruise driverless vehicle blocked a lane on Gough Street. This incident occurred just before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) was due to vote on the expansion of driverless vehicle services in the city.
The driverless vehicle’s inability to move caused inconvenience for drivers who had to navigate around it. The occurrence is particularly noteworthy as it happened on the eve of a critical vote by the CPUC. This vote will determine whether driverless car companies Cruise and Waymo can charge fares for their ride-hail services across San Francisco.
If the vote is in favor, Cruise and Waymo would be permitted to expand their services throughout the city. Although no major accidents involving Cruise or Waymo vehicles have yet been reported in San Francisco, the frequency of malfunctions, such as the one witnessed on Wednesday, are generating resistance against the proposed around-the-clock expansion.
This incident underscores the importance of addressing potential concerns around the malfunction of driverless vehicles, with regards to both safety and the potential for disruption in urban environments. As the technology continues to develop, it will be essential for regulatory bodies to ensure that these potential challenges are taken into consideration.