Waymo suspends freeway service after robotaxi speeds through construction lane with riders inside

Waymo robotaxis have had their fair share of attention for all the wrong reasons. In recent months, they have made headlines for incidents ranging from driving through flooded roads to allegedly requiring passengers to prove they were over 18. This time, however, the concerns are far more serious.

A recent CBS News report revealed that a Waymo robotaxi veered off a highway and accelerated to dangerous speeds while driving through a construction zone.

According to reports, a couple attempting to get home boarded the taxi and found themselves caught in a frightening situation as the vehicle suddenly sped up. The robotaxi reportedly failed to slow down or stop even as police began pursuing it due to its excessive speed.

Passenger Elliot Slade told CBS News, "There were construction signs. There were lights going on, police in the distance, and it sped up." He added, "That's when I looked at my fiancée and thought, we're done."

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The incident, like several others involving autonomous vehicles, has renewed concerns about the risks of relying on self-driving technology for ride-hailing services while the systems continue to face technical limitations that can potentially put passengers at risk.

Following the incident, Waymo has temporarily suspended freeway operations in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Miami as it works to incorporate new technical learnings into its software, according to a statement provided to CBS News.

After accelerating for roughly 20 seconds, the Waymo vehicle eventually pulled over, with a company representative speaking to the passengers through the car's audio system. Waymo later offered the couple $40 worth of ride credits. However, given the circumstances, the passenger said he is understandably hesitant about riding in one of the company's vehicles again.

Following the incident, a Waymo spokesperson told CBS News that freeway services are expected to resume "soon."