Driverless Cab Caught Making Illegal U-Turn in California
Police in San Bruno, California, recently encountered an unusual traffic violation. For the first watch, they discovered a driverless cab making an illegal U-turn. This incident comes after California introduced a new law allowing police to fine autonomous vehicles for traffic rule violations.
The law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2024, will come into effect in July 2026. It allows officers to issue a 'notice of non-compliance' to companies operating self-driving cars. In this case, the vehicle belonged to Waymo, a company known for its driverless cab services.
Waymo's autonomous driving system is designed to adhere to traffic rules. However, the vehicle made an illegal U-turn, drawing the attention of police officers. The officers were surprised to find no human driver inside the cab. They reported the incident on their online networks, describing it as a 'first'.
Currently, police ticket booklets do not have a field for 'robots'. Therefore, no ticket was issued. However, the law requires companies to set up an autonomy for first responders in case of such incidents. Waymo was informed of the issue.
This incident highlights the need for clear regulations and communication protocols between law enforcement and autonomous vehicle operators. Starting July 2026, police in California will have the power to fine driverless cars for traffic violations, marking a significant step in the evolution of self-driving technology.
