Newsom’s Robotaxi Plan Stopped as Driverless Car Hits and Traps Pedestrian
Driverless Car Accident Leads to Suspension of Cruise Robotaxi Service
After a driverless taxi struck a pedestrian in San Francisco, the California Department of Motor Vehicles took action by suspending the operating permit of the Cruise robotaxi service. The incident occurred on Oct. 2 when a human driver hit the pedestrian and fled the scene, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The impact propelled the pedestrian into the path of an oncoming Cruise robotaxi, which braked but still ran over the woman, dragging her 20 feet before coming to a stop.
The woman was trapped under the driverless car, and rescue crews had to use a “jaws of life” tool to free her. She is currently hospitalized in serious condition.
Cruise claimed that the robotaxi stopped as intended and that a human driver could not have reacted any faster, but there are allegations that the company has not been fully transparent with investigators and journalists.
The DMV stated that Cruise provided footage of the accident, but the portion showing the car dragging the pedestrian was allegedly edited out. Cruise denies these claims and insists that it showed the DMV the full video.
The DMV cited the pullover maneuver with the woman still trapped under the robotaxi as one of the reasons for suspending Cruise’s operations.
Support for the Decision
Gavin Newsom, the governor of California and a supporter of driverless technology, expressed his support for the decision to suspend Cruise’s operations.
Newsom’s backing of driverless technology has faced criticism from first responders who have reported incidents of robotaxis interfering with emergency workers.
Bryant Walker Smith, an expert in automated vehicle law, believes that the fallout from this incident and the alleged cover-up could harm the entire robotaxi industry.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently investigating the incident.
The post Newsom’s Robotaxi Push Halted After Driverless Car Strikes, Pins Pedestrian Under Vehicle appeared first on The Western Journal.
What allegations have been made regarding Cruise’s transparency with investigators and journalists, and how are they impacting the situation?
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This incident involving a driverless car and a pedestrian in San Francisco has raised concerns about the safety and transparency of autonomous vehicles. The California DMV’s decision to suspend Cruise’s robotaxi service demonstrates the seriousness of the situation.
According to reports, the incident occurred when a human driver hit a pedestrian and fled the scene. The impact of the collision propelled the pedestrian into the path of an oncoming Cruise robotaxi, which was unable to avoid running over the woman, dragging her for a considerable distance before coming to a stop. The severity of the incident is evident from the fact that rescue crews had to use specialized equipment to free the trapped woman, who is currently in serious condition.
Cruise claims that the robotaxi performed as intended and that a human driver would not have been able to react any faster. However, there are allegations that Cruise has not been fully transparent with investigators and journalists. Specifically, it is alleged that Cruise edited out the portion of the footage showing the car dragging the pedestrian before providing it to the DMV. Cruise denies these claims and asserts that it presented the full video to the DMV.
The DMV’s decision to suspend Cruise’s operations was based on several factors, including the questionable pullover maneuver with the woman still trapped under the robotaxi. This incident has had repercussions beyond just Cruise, with support for driverless technology, even from Governor Gavin Newsom, being called into question. First responders have reported instances of robotaxis interfering with their emergency work, adding to the concerns raised by this incident.
Legal expert Bryant Walker Smith believes that the fallout from this incident and the alleged cover-up could have detrimental effects on the entire robotaxi industry. It is clear that this incident has broader implications for the future of autonomous vehicles and the regulation of the technology.
Given the seriousness of the incident and the need for transparency and accountability, it is crucial that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducts a thorough investigation. The findings of this investigation will not only determine the fate of Cruise’s robotaxi service but also shape the future of the autonomous vehicle industry as a whole.
Ultimately, incidents like these highlight the importance of addressing safety concerns and ensuring transparency in the development and deployment of autonomous vehicles. Only through rigorous investigation, regulation, and industry-wide accountability can we ensure that the potential benefits of driverless technology are realized without compromising public safety.
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