Waymo’s Driverless Taxi Disobeys Police Order, Raises Safety Concerns

A recent incident involving a driverless taxi from Waymo, a company owned by Alphabet, has sparked concerns about public safety and the reliability of autonomous vehicles. At approximately 3:40 a.m. on Sunday, a Waymo vehicle entered a police checkpoint at Broadway and First Street in Los Angeles, despite officers signaling for it to turn left. Instead, the vehicle made a right turn, further complicating the situation as police were restraining a suspect nearby.

Fortunately, there were no injuries reported during this event, which took place outside Times Mirror Square and the downtown federal courthouse. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed that the vehicle was stationary for over 15 seconds. In response to the incident, Waymo emphasized its commitment to safety, stating that such occurrences contribute to improving their technology and operations.

Incident Details and Reactions

The incident was captured by bystanders, revealing a police officer instructing the Waymo vehicle to turn left. However, the vehicle did not comply. As police approached with drawn weapons, they realized the vehicle was unmanned, raising questions about the vehicle’s operational protocols. Despite the proximity to a police operation, the LAPD indicated that the incident did not hinder their tactical response. The intersection was briefly closed, which is standard procedure in such scenarios.

Waymo’s spokesperson commented on the situation, saying, “Safety is our top priority at Waymo, both for those who choose to travel with us and for those with whom we share the streets. When we encounter unusual events like this, we learn from them to continue improving road safety and operating in dynamic cities.” The company has pledged to address the technical issues that led to this incident.

Waymo’s Growing Operations Amidst Challenges

This incident is not the first challenge faced by Waymo since it launched its public service in November 2024. The company has experienced several notable incidents, including a viral event in which a user allegedly sent multiple self-driving vehicles down a dead-end street in San Francisco. In June, Waymo announced that its self-driving vehicles had traveled over 160 million kilometers without any fatalities, yet the company has frequently found itself in the news for less favorable reasons.

In addition to the recent police checkpoint incident, Waymo vehicles were involved in other controversies, including a protest where five units were burned by demonstrators and another instance where a vehicle made an illegal turn during a DUI checkpoint operation. Despite these challenges, Waymo continues to expand its operations, planning to introduce services in cities such as Miami, Orlando, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Detroit.

As the company navigates the complexities of autonomous vehicle technology, public perception remains crucial. The recent incident underscores the importance of safety protocols and the operational reliability of driverless vehicles, particularly in urban environments where interactions with law enforcement are common.