Union Call for Safety: Unions representing more than two dozen organizations have called on U.S. auto safety regulators to initiate an industry-wide investigation into autonomous vehicles, encompassing major players such as Alphabet’s Waymo and Amazon.com’s Zoox.
In a collective appeal, including voices from the Transportation Trades Department, Transport Workers Union of America, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and United Auto Workers, concerns were raised in light of the recent scrutiny faced by General Motors’ self-driving Cruise unit and the suspension of Cruise testing in California. The unions assert that current driverless vehicle technology is “unsafe and untenable,” emphasizing the urgent need for federal regulation to ensure safety and establish a practical framework for these vehicles.
Expressing apprehensions about safety issues related to robotaxis, the unions addressed a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Ann Carlson, the acting administrator at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The missive urged NHTSA to conduct a comprehensive industry-wide investigation to uncover the true extent of safety failures.
The unions emphasized the necessity for NHTSA to enhance its regulatory authority, asserting that responsible operation and robust oversight are imperative for the safe integration of autonomous vehicles on the roads.
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As of now, Waymo, Zoox, and NHTSA have not responded to requests for comments on the matter.
This move follows NHTSA’s investigation into Zoox’s self-certification of a robotaxi without traditional driving controls in 2022. Cruise, facing financial challenges with a reported $700 million loss in the last quarter, recently announced workforce cuts in roles supporting driverless ride-hail operations.
Concerns were further heightened after a recent incident in San Francisco, where a pedestrian was struck by a hit-and-run driver and subsequently hit again by a Cruise robotaxi, resulting in injuries. The unions’ letter detailed the distressing incident, underlining the need for a thorough examination of safety issues.
Cruise, responding to safety concerns, initiated a recall of 950 driverless cars after a recent crash involving one of its robotaxis. The company acknowledged that additional recalls are likely.
The plea from the unions comes at a crucial juncture, urging regulatory bodies to take decisive action to ensure the safe and responsible operation of autonomous vehicles in the interest of public safety.