General Motors’ (GM’s) autonomous vehicle unit, Cruise, has been fined $1.5 million by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) due to its failure to properly report a serious pedestrian accident that occurred in October 2023. The incident, which took place in San Francisco, involved one of Cruise’s robotaxis that hit a pedestrian who had already been struck by another vehicle and was dragged for around 20 feet.
Settlement Requirements –
In response to the fine, Cruise is required to create a corrective action plan to improve its compliance with incident reporting regulations. The settlement also mandates enhanced reporting obligations for the next two years. The NHTSA noted that Cruise submitted incomplete reports regarding the October crash and other incidents involving its self-driving technology.
Steve Kenner, Cruise’s Chief Safety Officer, expressed that the agreement is a significant step for the company, stating, “This is a step forward in a new chapter for Cruise.” He emphasized a commitment to increased transparency and better safety practices moving forward.
Investigations and Oversight –
The crash is under investigation by both the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Reports have surfaced indicating that Cruise employees tried to dissuade the NHTSA from launching an investigation, submitting documents that failed to mention that the pedestrian was dragged during the accident. The NHTSA became aware of this oversight after reviewing video footage related to the incident.
NHTSA’s investigation into Cruise’s protocols for protecting pedestrians remains open. Earlier this year, in August, the company recalled 1,200 robotaxis due to hard braking problems, following another investigation into the safety of its autonomous driving systems.
Management Shake-Up and Penalties –
Following the October crash and the subsequent scrutiny, Cruise’s CEO resigned, leading GM to announce plans to cut back on investments in its self-driving unit. Additionally, the California Public Utilities Commission has imposed a maximum fine of $112,500 on Cruise for not providing complete information about the crash in a timely manner.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by the self-driving industry, particularly concerning safety and accountability. With ongoing oversight from regulators, Cruise is under pressure to enhance its practices and restore confidence in its autonomous vehicle technology.
Source: Reuters
 autonomous vehicle unit, Cruise, has been fined $1.5 million by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) due to its failure to properly report a serious pedestrian accident that occurred in October 2023. The incident, which took place in San Francisco, involved one of Cruise's robotaxis that hit a pedestrian who had already been struck by another vehicle and was dragged for around 20 feet.){kind=link}