Collision Between Self-Driving Vehicle and Fire Truck

A self-driving vehicle operated by General Motors subsidiary Cruise was involved in a collision with a San Francisco Fire Department truck at an intersection. The incident occurred on Thursday night at the intersection of Polk and Turk streets.

According to a police spokesperson, one passenger in the Cruise vehicle complained of a headache and was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Additional Incidents Involving Cruise Vehicles

Another collision involving a Cruise vehicle occurred shortly after midnight at the intersection of 26th Street and Mission in San Francisco. These incidents come just a week after state regulators approved Cruise’s request to expand its commercial service in the city, despite concerns from local authorities.

Concerns Over Autonomous Vehicles Interfering with Emergency Responders

City authorities have expressed concerns that self-driving cars, including those from Cruise, may interfere with emergency responders. In the recent collision, the fire truck’s lights and siren were active while the Cruise vehicle entered the intersection on a green light, according to a company spokesperson.

Officials emphasize that vehicles, whether autonomous or human-driven, are required to yield to emergency vehicles operating in emergency mode.

Investigation and Response

An investigation is currently underway regarding the collision between the self-driving vehicle and the fire truck. Cruise has reached out to the injured passenger, offering support, and has stated it will be in contact with city officials regarding the incident.

This is one of four incidents involving Cruise vehicles in San Francisco since the company’s expansion was approved by the California Public Utilities Commission.

Concerns Over Autonomous Vehicle Regulations

Officials and authorities are expressing concerns about the lack of regulations for autonomous vehicles, stating that they operate with impunity and are not subjected to the same rules as human-driven vehicles. The incidents in San Francisco have prompted discussions about the need for greater control and regulation of self-driving cars on city streets.