A recent incident involving a driverless vehicle from Waymo, the autonomous taxi service owned by Alphabet, has raised concerns about public safety and confidence in self-driving technology. The event occurred in Los Angeles at 3:40 a.m. on September 10, 2023, when a Waymo robotaxi made an unexpected right turn at a police checkpoint, despite instructions to turn left from officers restraining a suspect.
The incident took place at Broadway and First Street, near Times Mirror Square and the downtown federal courthouse. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, according to both Waymo and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The vehicle reportedly remained stationary for over 15 seconds during the encounter, prompting the police to approach with caution. Video footage captured by bystanders showed the unmanned vehicle entering the scene and failing to follow police directives.
In a statement addressing the incident, a Waymo spokesperson emphasized that safety remains the company’s top priority. They noted, “When we encounter unusual events like this, we learn from them to continue improving road safety and operating in dynamic cities.” Despite this commitment to safety, the incident is not the first to generate negative attention for Waymo since launching its public service in November 2024.
Waymo’s Ongoing Challenges
Waymo has faced scrutiny over several incidents involving its vehicles, which have made headlines for various reasons. In June 2023, a user reportedly sent multiple self-driving cars down a dead-end street in San Francisco as part of a prank. Another notable event included the burning of five Waymo vehicles by protesters in Los Angeles. Additionally, in September, a Waymo vehicle made an illegal turn during a DUI checkpoint operation in San Bruno, further complicating the company’s public relations efforts.
Despite these challenges, Waymo continues to expand its services. The company currently operates in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Phoenix, with plans to launch in cities such as Miami, Orlando, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Detroit in the near future.
Waymo’s self-driving technology has claimed significant milestones, including the announcement in July 2023 that its vehicles had traveled over 160 million kilometers without any fatalities. Nevertheless, the recent checkpoint incident highlights the challenges that remain in ensuring the reliability and safety of autonomous driving systems.
The LAPD’s Traffic Coordination Division maintains regular communication with Waymo to stay informed about its technological advancements and the protocols related to driverless vehicles. As the company navigates these incidents, public confidence in autonomous technology will likely be influenced by its ability to address and learn from such occurrences.
As Waymo continues to innovate and expand its reach, the need for effective communication and transparency with the public becomes increasingly critical. The recent incident serves as a reminder of the complexities and responsibilities that come with deploying autonomous vehicles on city streets.
