Summary:
- A collision occurred between a driverless cruise vehicle and a San Francisco fire truck, prompting concerns about autonomous vehicles obstructing emergency responders.
- San Francisco requested a pause on the expansion of cruise and Waymo vehicles due to safety concerns and interference with first responders.
- Cruise responded, stating their car had a green light, and they are investigating the collision with the fire truck. The hospitalized passenger had non-life-threatening injuries.
- San Francisco police emphasized the importance of yielding to emergency vehicles to ensure the safety of first responders.
- A second crash involving a driverless cruise vehicle and a dark sedan occurred, with the sedan driver likely at fault for running a red light.
- The future expansion of Cruise and Waymo vehicles remains uncertain as investigations and safety concerns continue.
The same week that the city of San Francisco filed a request with the California Public Utilities Commission to put the brakes on the unlimited expansion of driverless vehicles, there's been two more crashes involving cruise vehicles and one involved a San Francisco fire truck. Crown Force Dan Kerman reports.
Collision Involving Fire Truck and Cruise Car
At 10.20 Thursday night, a driverless cruise vehicle with one passenger collided with a San Francisco fire truck that was heading to an emergency with lights and sirens. As this citizen video shows, the two vehicles came to rest at the intersection of Turk and Polk. Fire Chief expressed concerns about interference with first responders, citing over 60 documented incidents where autonomous vehicles obstructed emergency vehicles.City's Request to Pause Vehicle Expansion
San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin explains that the city requested a pause on the unlimited expansion of cruise and Waymo vehicles due to safety concerns. He suggests allowing gradual expansion after solving defects to prevent disasters in real time.Cruise's Response and Investigation
Cruise, in a tweet, states that their car entered the intersection on a green light and was hit by an emergency vehicle. They are investigating their AV's performance and its collision with the fire truck. The passenger hospitalized after the collision sustained non-life-threatening injuries.Yielding to Emergency Vehicles
San Francisco police emphasize that all vehicles must yield to on-duty emergency vehicles operating in emergency mode. This highlights the importance of ensuring the safety of emergency responders on the road.Second Crash Involving Cruise Vehicle
Two hours later, another crash occurred at 26th and Mission, involving a driverless cruise vehicle and a dark-colored sedan. Police believe the sedan driver was at fault for entering the intersection against a red light.Uncertain Future of Expansion
It remains unclear when the California Public Utilities Commission will decide on the pause of Cruise and Waymo vehicle expansion. The ongoing investigation and safety concerns play a role in the city's request to halt their unlimited expansion.Dan Kerman, Crown 4 News.