Driverless Vehicle Makes Illegal U-turn, Prompting Police Intervention

During a DUI enforcement operation, police in California encountered an unusual traffic violation: a driverless autonomous vehicle, operated by Waymo, executed an illegal U-turn right in front of officers at a traffic light.

Officers promptly pulled over the vehicle, only to discover there was no driver present. The police department remarked, “That’s right… No driver, no hands, no clue.” They contacted Waymo to alert them of the issue, which appeared to be a software glitch.

Since no human was behind the wheel, officers couldn’t issue a traditional ticket, as law enforcement’s citation books don’t accommodate autonomous vehicles. The police expressed hope that recent reprogramming efforts would prevent similar incidents in the future.

The department also mentioned ongoing legislative efforts to enable officers to issue notices for reckless driving involving autonomous vehicles.

Waymo, an electric robo-taxi service operating in several cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, stated that their system is designed to obey traffic laws. They are investigating the incident and committed to enhancing safety protocols based on their experiences.

The incident follows a recent test of Waymo’s driverless taxis in New York City, where a fleet operated with human drivers present. However, critics, including former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, have voiced concerns about the safety and reliability of autonomous vehicle technology.