NPR: Bay Area First Responders Express Concerns Over Increasing Self-Driving Cars

San Francisco has been a testing ground for self-driving cars made by Waymo and Cruise. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently voted 3-1 to allow self-driving car companies to expand their programs and charge passengers like taxis. However, there have been concerns raised by emergency services about how autonomous vehicles have hindered rescue operations in the city. San Francisco’s police and fire departments have recorded 55 incidents in the past six months where self-driving cars have obstructed emergency operations, such as running through yellow emergency tape or blocking firehouse driveways. The autonomous vehicles, operated by Cruise and Waymo, sometimes have human safety drivers, while others are empty. Waymo has a permit for 250 vehicles, deploying around 100 at any given time, while Cruise operates 100 cars during the day and 300 at night in San Francisco. Both companies have requested permission to expand their programs in San Francisco and other California cities. The CPUC’s recent vote allows the companies to charge customers for rides in cars without human drivers at all hours of the day, compared to the previous limited basis. The CPUC will reassess the program in three months.

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