A lot of people have envisioned a future where cars no longer need a driver to get from point A to point B. The closest we've been is through driverless taxis and full self-driving features. However, the DMV in California believes that the vehicles are still too dangerous for the road.
Cruise Robotaxis Suspended
The driverless taxis have been linked to several accidents ever since it became operational. There have been cases of hit-and-run, even one where it interfered with an emergency vehicle. With these incidents, the California DMV has suspended the service.
It was said that "the manufacturer's vehicles are not safe for the public's operation." The government agency is already investigating the dangers that come with the robotaxis and determining whether Cruise misrepresented safety information, as per Gizmodo.
As a result of the suspension, Cruise robotaxis will have to take their vehicles off the road immediately. The DMV stated that it has the authority to do so if the vehicles pose "unreasonable risk to the public."
Cruise says that its vehicles have already passed the safety benchmark to determine that it is safe, also providing performance data showing that its driverless taxis were involved in 65% fewer collisions all in all. Despite that, the DMV remains unconvinced.
The suspension will remain unless the company fulfills the requirements to the department's satisfaction. Although that was not mentioned, it's likely when Cruise taxis no longer cause accidents or are involved in incidents in any way.
The California DMV expressed that public safety remains its top priority and that "the department's autonomous vehicle regulations provide a framework to facilitate the safe testing and deployment of this technology on California public roads."
Currently, its most recent hit-and-run incident is still being investigated, which is what led to its suspension. Cruise is working with the DMV, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the California Public Utilities Commission for the investigation.
"Ultimately, we develop and deploy autonomous vehicles in an effort to save lives." Cruise spokesperson Navideh Forghani says. "Our thoughts continue to be with the victim as we hope for a rapid and complete recovery."
Unfortunate Hit-and-Run Incident
There have been two incidents that led to the decision of the DMV, one of which happened in early October. The driverless taxi was not directly at fault in the accident, but it still injured a pedestrian after a human-caused hit-and-run.
The female victim was hit by a car as she was crossing the street at Market and Fifth. The human driver drove away and the woman was thrown into the path of the driverless taxi. The automatic vehicle did brake, but not before the woman was pinned under its wheels.
According to Engadget, the woman's leg was stuck under the CRuise taxi's rear axle tire. The firefighters had to use a hydraulic tool to lift the vehicle up so that the pedestrian could be pulled from under it.
Fire Captain Justin Schorr says that the victim was then sent to the San Francisco General Hospital suffering multiple traumatic injuries. The unfortunate incident also happened just after Cruise was asked to cut the number of its operation vehicles by half.
