San Francisco Votes on Waymo, Cruise Robotaxis Expansion Amid Safety Concerns
San Francisco is set to vote on the unlimited expansion of Waymo and Cruise robotaxis on October 11, 2023. Over 240 incidents involving these vehicles have been reported in the city this year, raising safety concerns. Consumer Watchdog urges the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to reject the proposal, citing safety risks to both passengers and the public.
Waymo and Cruise, two major players in the robotaxi industry, seek unlimited expansion in San Francisco. If approved, Waymo could extend its operations beyond San Francisco, potentially to Los Angeles. However, the push for expansion comes amidst financial pressure on Cruise, which has yet to turn a profit in its 10-year existence and has lost over $1 billion in 2023 alone.
The CPUC examiner will vote on this expansion, but concerns have been raised about voting member John Reynolds, a former Cruise lawyer. Reynolds should recuse himself from the vote, as he did last year, to avoid potential conflicts of interest.
Consumer Watchdog, a public interest group, argues against the unlimited expansion. They cite safety issues such as abrupt stopping, incorrect signals, and impeded emergency responders due to robotaxi incidents. The group also notes that Waymo vehicles have been involved in collisions with injuries at a rate 1.3 times higher than the national average of human-driven vehicles.
The CPUC vote on October 11 will determine the future of robotaxi expansion in San Francisco. Despite financial pressures, safety concerns must be addressed before unlimited expansion is approved. Better data reporting on incidents is needed to inform future decisions. Consumer Watchdog urges the CPUC to vote against the proposal, prioritizing public safety over swift regulatory approval.
