From California Post · · 1m 20s
San Diego fights back against Waymo robotaxis
The city council unanimously demands local control after the state approved driverless cars without asking permission.
In brief
The city council unanimously demands local control after the state approved driverless cars without asking permission. Cities can't stop autonomous vehicles approved by the state, but they can demand a seat at the table on how they operate. Originally reported by California Post.
Waymo launches in San Diego
The robotaxi company started operating its driverless fleet in San Diego on September 1 after the California Public Utilities Commission approved it without local input.
City council votes unanimously
San Diego's city council voted 8-0 to demand the state give the city control over how Waymo operates on its streets.
Emergency responders blocked
Council members showed video clips of Waymo cars blocking firefighters and ambulances during emergencies, raising safety concerns about response times.
“When our firefighters, our police officers, our ambulance drivers, our EMTs are responding to a 911 life or death emergency, every second counts.”
Airport taxi jobs at risk
Council members worried Waymo would eliminate jobs for airport taxi drivers, one of the last reliable income sources in the city.
“That is one of the last places that taxi drivers can make a living.”
Waymo claims safety record
The company said it completed thousands of safe trips and reported 94% fewer serious injury crashes than human drivers, but council members remained unconvinced.
“Thousands of safe trips have already been completed.”
Council demands emergency powers
The resolution calls for fire and police to have authority to track, stop, or move Waymo vehicles during emergencies, and prohibits robotaxis from operating at the airport.
The takeaway
Cities can't stop autonomous vehicles approved by the state, but they can demand a seat at the table on how they operate.
