San Francisco July 4 Gridlock Traps Dozens of Waymo Cars as 500-Plus Emergency Calls Surge
Updated
Updated · NBC Bay Area · Jul 6
San Francisco July 4 Gridlock Traps Dozens of Waymo Cars as 500-Plus Emergency Calls Surge
3 articles · Updated · NBC Bay Area · Jul 6
Summary
More than 500 emergency calls hit San Francisco after July 4 fireworks, as waterfront crowds faced hours of gridlock and dozens of Waymo robotaxis clogged the exit from Crissy Field and the Presidio.
Waymo said extreme congestion disrupted several vehicles, and witnesses said employees arrived nearly two hours later to drive some cars out; an earlier report said some robotaxis later stalled and were towed after running out of power.
One Waymo rider described her car moving as someone lit a firework in the road, raising fresh questions about how autonomous vehicles handle unpredictable hazards during major events.
Fire crews also answered four fireworks-related wildfires, numerous outside fires, a vehicle fire believed sparked by illegal fireworks, and two life-altering injuries.
Waymo is reviewing both the traffic breakdown and the fireworks incident, while fire officials renewed warnings that even supposedly safe fireworks can cause severe injuries and fires.