San Francisco has launched a legal battle against the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) over its decision to permit Waymo and Cruise, autonomous vehicle companies owned by Google and General Motors, to expand their operations in the city.
The lawsuit, filed in December but not previously reported, challenges the CPUC’s August decision allowing Waymo to operate a 24/7 paid taxi service in San Francisco.
Lawsuit Challenges AV Safety
The legal action underscores San Francisco’s concerns about the safety of self-driving cars and demands a review of the CPUC’s decision.
The lawsuit contends that the expansion of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in San Francisco has led to hundreds of safety incidents, including interference with first responders.
City officials have raised objections to the expansion, but the CPUC approved requests by Cruise and Waymo to operate, prompting San Francisco to take legal action. The city argues that the CPUC’s decision should be reviewed for compliance with the law.
While the legal challenge primarily targets Waymo’s expansion, Cruise has already faced setbacks in California, losing its permits to operate last year after one of its vehicles struck a jaywalking pedestrian.
The legal action may not have an immediate impact on Cruise but could influence the broader regulatory environment for AVs in California and potentially other states.
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San Francisco Attorney David Chiu Addresses Autonomous Vehicle Safety
San Francisco’s City Attorney David Chiu has taken a bold step to address what the city perceives as serious safety concerns related to autonomous vehicles. Chiu’s legal action seeks to halt Waymo’s expansion until California reevaluates its regulatory framework for AVs.
If successful, this move could set a precedent for other states grappling with the deployment of autonomous vehicles.
Waymo expressed disappointment in the city’s decision to appeal the CPUC’s ruling but remains confident in its ability to serve San Francisco safely.
The legal battle underscores the challenges faced by the self-driving car industry, which had hoped for a prominent testing ground in San Francisco to legitimize its technology. Instead, the city has become a battleground where major companies find themselves viewed as public safety hazards.
The outcome of this legal action could shape the future of autonomous vehicle regulation, as San Francisco seeks to influence how AVs are governed in California and potentially inspire similar actions in other states deploying autonomous vehicles.
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