In the bustling streets of San Francisco, a unique form of protest against self-driving cars has emerged – traffic cones placed on the hoods of autonomous vehicles.1 Safe Street Rebel, a group of activists advocating for pedestrian safety and reduced traffic, is behind this creative and attention-grabbing tactic. This article delves into the motivations behind the protests, the concerns raised by activists, and the broader debates about the implications of autonomous vehicles on urban life.
The Week of Cone
The “Week of Cone” has become a viral sensation, with videos showing activists placing traffic cones on the hoods of self-driving cars circulating widely on social media.2 The protests are strategically timed, coinciding with a critical vote by the California public utilities commission to decide on the expansion of self-driving cars in the city. Safe Street Rebel aims to raise public awareness about the potential risks posed by driverless taxis.
Safe Street Rebel’s primary concern lies in the potential increase in the number of autonomous vehicles on San Francisco streets.3 They fear this expansion will lead to more traffic congestion, disrupting the flow of buses and emergency vehicles and affecting pedestrian safety. Some activists have reported incidents where self-driving cars stopped unexpectedly, opened doors in bike lanes, and created unsafe conditions for pedestrians. These concerns have prompted Safe Street Rebel to advocate for reducing the number of cars on the roads and increasing investment in public transportation.
Critics of self-driving cars argue that they are not a panacea for urban transportation issues. They point out that autonomous vehicles still require wide roads, contribute to tire wear, and carry various cameras for navigation and safety. The activists stressed that the focus should be on developing sustainable transit options rather than perpetuating car dominance in cities.
Challenges for Self-Driving Cars
Self-driving cars face skepticism not only from activists in San Francisco but also from various incidents that have raised questions about their safety and reliability. Reports have surfaced of autonomous vehicles idling in the midst of a mass shooting and nearly driving over fire hoses during an emergency response. The California Department of Motor Vehicles has also logged numerous collision reports involving autonomous vehicles, including an incident where a dog was struck and killed by a Waymo vehicle operating in autonomous mode.
Waymo and Cruise, the companies at the center of the protests, maintain that their vehicles are safe and will help reduce traffic congestion and accidents. Cruise, in particular, asserts that its cars provide free rides to people lacking reliable transportation, serving the community’s needs.
Placing traffic cones on the hoods of self-driving cars effectively blocks the car’s LIDAR device, which is essential for measuring distance and ensuring safe navigation. While some view this protest as a lighthearted and harmless act, Waymo condemns it as vandalism and unsafe behavior.
Despite the criticism, the activists of Safe Street Rebel maintain that their intent is not to cause harm but to draw attention to their cause and spark conversations about the implications of self-driving cars in urban environments. They argue that a healthy city should not rely on high-tech surveillance pods but prioritize pedestrians, bikers, and public transportation.
Conclusion
The “Week of Cone” protests in San Francisco have brought public attention to the complex issues surrounding self-driving cars. While activists advocate for safer streets, reduced traffic, and sustainable transit options, companies like Waymo and Cruise champion the potential benefits of autonomous vehicles in transforming transportation.
As the debate continues, it is crucial to weigh the promises of self-driving technology against the concerns raised by residents and activists. Finding a balance between embracing innovation and addressing safety and environmental concerns will be essential to shaping the future of autonomous vehicles in cities worldwide.
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Sources
- “Protesters develop novel way to build cone-sensus against driverless cars.” The Guardian. Abené Clayton. July 8, 2023.
- “Angry People Are Disabling Self-Driving Cars In The Most Hilarious Way.” Giant Freakin Robot. Jessica Goudreault. July 2023.
- “ANNOYED RESIDENTS DISABLING SELF-DRIVING CARS BY PLACING TRAFFIC CONES ON THEIR HOODS.” Futurism. Sharon Adarlo. July 11.