A Waymo robotaxi brought Vice President Kamala Harris’ motorcade to a halt in San Francisco while she was en route to the Fairmont Hotel. The driverless car stalled during a U-turn on California Street, forcing a police officer to manually drive it out of the way to clear the path for the motorcade. This incident occurred late Friday, interrupting what was likely Harris' final San Francisco visit before the upcoming election, where she was scheduled to attend a private fundraiser.
This malfunction is the latest in a series of incidents involving self-driving cars in San Francisco. Previously, these vehicles were exempt from traffic citations, but Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed a bill that will allow law enforcement to issue citations to driverless car companies for traffic violations. Although these citations won't carry fees, companies will be required to report them to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which can then alter or revoke permits if a company accumulates too many violations. The new law, however, does not take effect until 2026, meaning Waymo will not face immediate penalties for this particular incident.
The inspiration for the new legislation, authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, stems from numerous traffic problems caused by driverless cars, including instances where they impeded first responders during emergencies. Another company, Cruise, previously lost its permit to operate in San Francisco after a series of mishaps, including a high-profile case where one of its cars dragged a pedestrian. Data analyzed by The Frisc indicates a decline in such incidents, particularly after Cruise removed its fleet from the streets. This event underscores the ongoing challenges and regulatory adjustments surrounding autonomous vehicle technology.
