SF Mayor Urges Tougher Robotaxi Rules After Waymo July 4 Traffic Jam

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie is calling on state regulators to tighten rules for autonomous vehicles after Waymo robotaxies caused major traffic disruptions during the July 4 fireworks and a recent power outage. In a letter to the California Department of Transportation, Lurie argued that current regulations do not adequately address how AVs handle emergencies Source: TechCrunch.

What happened

On July 4, Waymo robotaxies became immobilized in heavy traffic near the Golden Gate Bridge, running out of power and blocking key streets, compounding gridlock for thousands Source: TechCrunch. This followed a December power outage that also stranded dozens of Waymo vehicles. More recently, on July 18, a power outage affecting 7,000 PG&E customers caused Waymo to pause service for about an hour Source: TechCrunch (July 18).

Mayor's demands

Lurie proposed four core capabilities AV companies must demonstrate:

• Immediate removal of disabled robotaxies from travel lanes
• Real-time route and service area adjustments
• Sharing operational data with local agencies
• Proof they can handle large crowds and traffic surges

He urged the California Department of Transportation to establish statewide standards to prevent future incidents Source: TechCrunch.

Regulatory context

California already has a stricter framework than other states, with permits from the DMV and Public Utilities Commission. Six companies hold driverless testing permits, but Waymo operates the largest fleet—about 1,000 robotaxies in the Bay Area Source: TechCrunch.