The San Bruno Police Department encountered a unique challenge this weekend when officers witnessed a driverless Waymo vehicle making an illegal U-turn at a traffic light. This incident raises critical questions about how to enforce traffic laws on autonomous vehicles. Currently, there is no legal framework in place to ticket vehicles without a human driver.
Officers were conducting patrols for impaired drivers near the San Bruno Caltrain station when they observed the Waymo performing the maneuver. Upon confirming that the car had no driver, the officers reported the incident to the company. As noted by KRON4, the police informed Waymo of the “glitch” and allowed the vehicle to continue on its way.
According to a social media post from the San Bruno Police Department, the absence of a human driver prevented them from issuing a citation. The post humorously stated, “our citation books don’t have a box for ‘robot.’” The police department expressed hope that future reprogramming would prevent similar violations from occurring.
Upcoming Legislation on Autonomous Vehicles
The issue of regulating driverless vehicles is poised to become more structured with new legislation set to take effect in July 2026. This law will enable law enforcement agencies to issue tickets directly to autonomous vehicle companies when their cars violate traffic regulations. Until then, the current lack of legal recourse creates a significant gap in accountability.
The situation in San Bruno highlights broader concerns over the integration of autonomous vehicles into public roadways. As these vehicles become more common, the need for clear regulations that address their unique operational challenges grows increasingly urgent.
The San Bruno Police Department’s experience serves as a reminder that as technology evolves, so too must our legal and regulatory frameworks. The coming years will likely see changes that will shape how autonomous vehicles are managed and held accountable for their actions on the roads.