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Waymo Taxi Stops for Police: No Ticket Issued

10/2/2025

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Summary

Story summary

In San Bruno, California, a driverless Waymo taxi was stopped for an illegal U-turn, a first for the officers.
The vehicle yielded to police lights, but with no human driver, officers could not issue a ticket.
A law taking effect July 2026 will let police issue citations for autonomous vehicle violations in California; current law restricts direct fines.

History

Historical Context

California's Autonomous Vehicle Testing Act, passed in 2012, allowed companies like Waymo to test self-driving cars on public roads, leading to over 60,000 miles driven by test vehicles. The 2018 incident in Tempe, Arizona, where a self-driving car struck a pedestrian, raised legal concerns, prompting future legislation by 2026 to enable police to enforce regulations on autonomous vehicles, shaping the intersection of technology and law.

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Story summary

In San Bruno, California, a driverless Waymo taxi was stopped for an illegal U-turn, a first for the officers.
The vehicle yielded to police lights, but with no human driver, officers could not issue a ticket.
A law taking effect July 2026 will let police issue citations for autonomous vehicle violations in California; current law restricts direct fines.

1 / 2