Two Cruise driverless taxis caused a delay in an ambulance carrying a car accident victim to the hospital, according to a report from the San Francisco Fire Department. The incident, which resulted in the death of the patient, is the latest in a series of incidents involving self-driving cars in the city.
The report states that on August 14, two Cruise autonomous vehicles were stopped in the right two lanes of a four-lane, one-way street in the SoMa neighborhood, where the victim was found. A police vehicle in another lane had to be moved in order for the ambulance to leave. The delay in transport and medical care contributed to the patient’s death, as they were pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Cruise, an autonomous vehicle subsidiary of General Motors, denies any fault in the incident. The company shared footage with The New York Times, which appeared to show that one of its vehicles had moved from the scene before the victim was loaded into the ambulance, while the other remained in the right lane until after the ambulance left. The footage also showed that other vehicles, including another ambulance, passed by the right side of the Cruise taxi.
Cruise stated that as soon as the victim was loaded into the ambulance, it left the scene immediately and was not impeded by the Cruise vehicle. The company claims that the ambulance passed the stopped Cruise vehicle approximately 90 seconds after loading the victim.
The San Francisco Fire Department confirmed the report and emphasized the importance of time in such incidents. Jeanine Nicholson, chief of the Fire Department, expressed frustration with Cruise’s lack of responsibility and called for further discussions.
The incident adds to the growing concerns surrounding autonomous vehicles in San Francisco. Aaron Peskin, the president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, highlighted the accumulation of incidents involving driverless cars and stated that they are not ready for prime time.
Cruise and Waymo, backed by Alphabet, began offering driverless taxi services in San Francisco last year. The accident occurred just four days after both companies obtained a permit to expand their services and charge for rides at all hours in the city.
The Fire Department reported that this case is one of over 70 incidents involving autonomous vehicles interfering with emergency responders. San Francisco officials have been protesting the expansion of driverless taxi services since January, citing instances where driverless cars blocked emergency vehicles and interfered during active firefighting and crime scenes.
While some city officials argue that these incidents are a small fraction of all cases involving driverless cars, concerns continue to grow. Cruise vehicles have been reported to block traffic and get stuck in wet cement since the expansion of driverless taxi services began. The California Department of Motor Vehicles has asked Cruise to reduce the number of vehicles it operates in the city as it investigates these incidents.
City officials plan to file a motion for a new hearing on the service expansion, and the city attorney has previously requested a halt to the plan. The debate over the readiness and safety of autonomous vehicles continues as incidents like these raise questions about their implementation in urban environments.
What actions can companies in the autonomous vehicle industry take to address concerns regarding the safety and reliability of self-driving cars in densely populated areas
Nt is currently investigating the incident to determine the cause of the delay and any potential negligence on the part of Cruise or its autonomous vehicles. This incident adds to the growing concerns surrounding the safety and reliability of self-driving cars, particularly in densely populated areas.
Critics argue that incidents like these highlight the need for strict regulations and oversight of autonomous vehicle testing and deployment. While self-driving technology has the potential to revolutionize transportation, it is clear that there are still kinks to be worked out, especially when it comes to emergency situations.
Despite the denial from Cruise, questions persist about the actions taken by its autonomous vehicles in this incident. Was there a communication breakdown between the vehicles and emergency responders? Did the vehicles react appropriately to the situation? These are important questions that need to be addressed to ensure the safety of both passengers and the public in future self-driving car incidents.
This incident serves as a stark reminder that the advancement of technology should not come at the expense of human lives. As autonomous vehicles continue to be tested and deployed on public roads, it is crucial that companies take full responsibility for their actions and work closely with regulators and emergency services to ensure the safety of all individuals involved.
Moving forward, it is imperative that the industry as a whole learns from incidents like these and takes the necessary steps to improve the safety and reliability of autonomous vehicles. By doing so, companies can regain the public’s trust and confidence in this innovative technology.
