Self-driving vehicles have become a common sight in Phoenix, where Waymo, a company owned by Google, operates a fleet of autonomous cars. These vehicles are not only used for ridesharing but are also occasionally offered by Uber. However, as with any emerging technology, there are occasional mishaps that occur as these vehicles continue to learn their way around town.
One such incident was brought to light through a Reddit post that featured a photo of a Phoenix police officer pulling over a Waymo car. This sparked curiosity among internet users who were eager to understand how a driverless vehicle would respond in such a situation.
Arizona Central, a local news outlet, followed up on the Reddit post and obtained bodycam footage from the police department. According to the police report, the Waymo car had driven through a construction zone and ended up on the wrong side of the road after leaving the zone, driving against traffic. When the officer sensed the violation and turned on his lights, the autonomous vehicle seemed to “freak out,” running a red light before ultimately pulling into a parking lot.
As the officer approached the Waymo car, he was surprised to find no driver inside. Instead, the empty vehicle automatically connected to Rider Support, Waymo’s customer service line. The officer explained what had happened, and the technician on the other end of the line said they would review the video to understand the situation better.
Waymo initially chose not to comment on the incident when approached by AZ Central. However, when they learned that the story was going to be published, they decided to provide an explanation. Unfortunately for them, their attempt to clarify the situation may not have been well-received. The company claimed that the car had encountered inconsistent construction signage and was unable to navigate back into the correct lane, leading it to enter the oncoming traffic lane. They further justified running the red light as an effort to clear the intersection.
Despite these explanations, there is still uncertainty regarding the process of issuing citations to driverless vehicles. Police departments have reported that they are unable to issue a citation to a computer-operated vehicle. This loophole leaves many questioning how accountability for infractions will be enforced in the future.
In conclusion, incidents like the one involving the Waymo car being pulled over by the police shed light on the complexities of operating self-driving vehicles. While the technology continues to evolve and learn from its experiences, there will inevitably be occasional mishaps. However, it is important to remember that these incidents are part of the learning process and should not overshadow the potential benefits of autonomous vehicles. As we wait for self-driving cars to become more commonplace, it is essential to remain vigilant on the road and embrace the advancements that will eventually make transportation safer and more efficient for everyone.