A pedestrian struck by a car tragically lost their life due to critical delays caused by two driverless cabs blocking the path of an ambulance in San Francisco.
According to a report by the San Francisco Fire Department, the pedestrian had been riding a scooter when they collided with a BMW SUV and the delays in the emergency vehicles response contributed to their death.
Multiple officials have corroborated that the only available lanes were obstructed by stationary Cruise autopilot vehicles, which displayed no signs of movement or engagement with the accident scene.
Crucially, it did not appear that these driverless taxis were either picking up or dropping off passengers at the time.
“This delay, no matter how minimal, contributed to a poor pt [patient] outcome,” the report said.
Regrettably, the patient was pronounced dead at the hospital just 20 to 30 minutes after their arrival, painting a stark picture of the consequences of such delays.
Cruise, a prominent “driverless ride-hail service” as per their website, faced immediate scrutiny in the aftermath of this incident.
Cruise spokesperson Tiffany Testo defended their role, claiming that one of their driverless cars did clear the scene, leaving the right lane unblocked for other vehicles, including the ambulance behind the autonomous vehicle.
The incident has also sparked renewed debates about the expansion of driverless ride-hailing services in San Francisco.
The California Public Utilities Commission recently voted to expand these services, despite numerous residents expressing concerns about their safety. Critics have labelled self-driving cars as “death traps,” and their fears seem to have been vindicated by this tragic event.
San Francisco Fire Department Chief Jeanine Nicholson addressed the commission, revealing that her department had received 55 reports of driverless cars driving too close to first responders, obstructing traffic, or blocking emergency service stations.
“You might say well, 55, that’s not a lot. Well, if it’s your family, it’s a lot,” she said.
