California Regulators Investigate Waymo Self-Driving Car Crash

California regulators are investigating a crash between a Waymo self-driving car and a bicyclist in San Francisco. The incident occurred in the Mission District on Tuesday afternoon. Although the cyclist sustained minor injuries, hospitalization was not required. Fortunately, the passenger in the vehicle was uninjured.

According to Waymo's statement to the San Francisco Chronicle, the collision occurred because a large truck obstructed the vehicle's view of the cyclist, preventing it from braking in time to avoid the accident. Waymo has not yet issued a comment regarding the incident.

Waymo has emphasized its commitment to safety, claiming that its self-driving vehicles are involved in significantly fewer crashes than human drivers. In October, Waymo launched its driverless taxi service to the public in San Francisco, where these distinctive vehicles are now a common sight. The company also operates in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin, Texas.

The safety of self-driving cars has come under increased scrutiny since a pedestrian was struck by an autonomous car operated by GM's Cruise in San Francisco last October. The incident raised concerns after regulators alleged that Cruise attempted to conceal certain details about the crash. Consequently, Cruise's license to operate in California was revoked, and the company suspended all driverless-car operations. In addition, Cruise underwent significant leadership changes and implemented workforce reductions.

Furthermore, Cruise revealed that it is currently facing investigations from multiple entities, including the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission, regarding the crash.