Self-Driving Uber Car Gets One Star Review After Killing Pedestrian
In the near future, cars will drive you around. It’s going to be awesome.
But not if they run over people.
In Tempe, Arizona, 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg was hit while crossing the street by a self-driving Uber car. She died in the hospital due to injuries.
Developers like testing autonomous vehicles late at night in a variety of conditions. This particular incident took place at 10 p.m. local time. There was an operator behind the wheel at the time of the incident. The crash is the first known fatal crash between a self-driving car and a pedestrian. Another self-driving Uber car smashed into the back of a truck in 2016, killing the operator. An investigation found that the driver was warned to keep his hands on the wheel prior to the crash.
Ten-and-two at all times, friends.
Uber released a statement saying, “Our hearts go out to the victim’s family. We are fully cooperating with local authorities in their investigation of this incident.”
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi sent out the following tweet:
Some incredibly sad news out of Arizona. We’re thinking of the victim’s family as we work with local law enforcement to understand what happened. https://t.co/cwTCVJjEuz
— dara khosrowshahi (@dkhos) March 19, 2018
Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell also released a statement:
Here is my statement regarding the tragic event that occurred in Tempe overnight. pic.twitter.com/3ql1WAxKpA
— Mayor Mark Mitchell (@AZMayorMitchell) March 19, 2018
When a bicyclist, pedestrian or motorist is killed, it should be an opportunity for Tempe to pause and think about what can be done to make our roadways ever safer.
I’d start with not having cars that drive themselves, but that’s just me.
In December 2016, an autonomous Uber car ran a red light in Tempe, Arizona, leading to a crash. No one was harmed, but the program was suspended. The program has been suspended once again following this incident.
Just wait until self-driving cars are unleashed in New York and Los Angeles.