During the Fourth of July weekend in San Francisco, passengers in a Waymo self-driving car were understandably alarmed when their vehicle drove into lit fireworks on the street. Video recordings from the scene captured their astonishment as the car approached the fireworks, which were about to be ignited.
In one clip, a person on the street appears to be frantically waving to signal the car to halt. “No, no, no, don’t go, don’t go, don’t go,” one passenger is heard urging off-camera. The vehicle then rolls over bright flames and sparks, leaving no doubt about the confusing experience. “Our Waymo just crashed into fireworks,” the visibly shocked passenger stated.
Another passenger questioned, “Are we on fire, dude?” revealing the level of shock and concern among those onboard. A spokesperson from Waymo responded, emphasizing the company’s commitment to passenger safety and expressed their intention to learn from such incidents. There were thankfully no injuries reported to anyone in the car or damage to the vehicle itself.
This incident took place amid a backdrop of fireworks festivities, underscoring the chaotic environment. Fireworks are illegal in San Francisco, regardless of their classification as “safe and sound” explosives. Notably, a separate fireworks explosion that same day resulted in one fatality and injuries to two adults and a child, according to reports.
In a different situation, some Waymo vehicles experienced battery failures after being stuck in heavy traffic for several hours on the same day. A spokesperson reiterated that maintaining safety, especially during significant city events like the Fourth of July, is their priority. They noted that extreme congestion north of San Francisco disrupted typical operations, prompting them to quickly collaborate with local authorities to ensure vehicles were removed safely from the area.
