Self-Driving Cars Face Criticism in San Francisco Amid Expansion
Self-driving cars in San Francisco have come under scrutiny after the recent decision by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to allow autonomous vehicles on the streets at all times. The move has sparked concerns about the safety and impact of these vehicles, particularly following several incidents over the weekend.
Videos of robotaxi malfunctions circulated on social media, raising alarm among opponents of the expansion. During the Outside Lands music festival, an increased number of self-driving cars experienced glitches. One TikTok user captured a Cruise vehicle stuck at an angle in the middle of the street, causing mayhem outside the festival. Another video posted on Twitter showed a Cruise vehicle nearly running over a family on a crosswalk. Furthermore, in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood, up to ten Cruise cars blocked a main thoroughfare, leading to frustration among local residents.
Aaron Peskin, a representative on the San Francisco board of supervisors, received numerous complaints from constituents that night. He expressed his concerns on Twitter, criticizing the CPUC for disregarding the warnings raised about the potential dangers and traffic disruptions caused by autonomous vehicles. Peskin questioned why state commissioners thought it was acceptable to put people in harm’s way and create chaos on neighborhood streets.
In response to the incidents, Cruise acknowledged the issues caused by the music festival, stating that connectivity problems with cell phone networks affected the vehicles. The company assured the public that it is actively investigating the matter and working on solutions to prevent such occurrences in the future. Critics, however, noted that the traffic jam involving ten cars was several miles away from the concert venue, raising doubts about Cruise’s explanation.
While the CPUC granted permission for expanded operations, it remains unclear if the companies have already deployed more cars. Previously, the vehicles were limited to nighttime driving and were operating under beta testing programs without charging passengers for rides. Cruise has not provided information regarding an increase in its ridership since the CPUC vote. Waymo, another company testing self-driving vehicles in San Francisco, stated that it is adopting an incremental approach to fleet expansion, without elaborating on whether additional cars have been added following the decision.
Meanwhile, the anti-car activist group Safe Street Rebel predicted that incidents like these would become more common. The group, known for disabling autonomous vehicles with traffic cones, has started collecting reports of malfunctioning, crashing, or dangerous self-driving cars. They believe that the expansion of autonomous vehicles does not contribute to healthier, safer, or more sustainable cities. Their stance emphasizes the need to reduce the number of cars on the streets rather than adding more.
As self-driving cars face criticism in San Francisco, concerns about safety, traffic disruption, and the response from regulatory bodies are at the forefront of the debate. The incidents observed over the weekend reiterate the reservations expressed by opponents of the expansion. While companies like Cruise and Waymo continue to develop their autonomous vehicle technologies, striking a balance between progress and public safety is of paramount importance. Only time will tell how self-driving cars will integrate into the fabric of urban environments and whether they can truly live up to their promise of a safer and more efficient transportation future.
