Uber self-driving car kills Arizona woman
Skeptics say death illustrates concerns about autonomous tech
SAN FRANCISCO – An Uber selfdriving car hit and killed a woman in Tempe, Arizona – a tragic milestone that could lead to a major setback in the otherwise feverish development of driverless transportation.
The death of Elaine Herzberg, a 49-year-old pedestrian who was crossing a street outside the marked crosswalk, appears to be the first time a self-driving car has been involved in the death of a person outside the vehicle.
In 2016, a man was killed while behind the wheel of a Tesla in Autopilot mode when a truck cut across its path – the first death related to a car in self-driving mode. Investigators found the driver failed to heed warnings to take back control of his car.
The Arizona accident is poised to become a focal point of a debate about the viability of self-driving cars, which promoters vow will save lives, while skeptics contend they remain dangerously ill-prepared for prime time.
Uber’s test car was in self-driving mode when the accident occurred but had a safety driver who is supposed to step in and take control if needed, according to Tempe police.
San Francisco-based Uber said in a statement that it was “fully cooperating with local authorities.” The ride-hailing company has temporarily halted its self-driving testing in Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Toronto, as is its policy following any accident.
Tempe Police Sgt. Ronald Elcock confirmed to the USA TODAY Network that the car was in autonomous mode with a driver behind the wheel when it hit the pedestrian. There were no passengers in the car. The safety driver’s name was not released.
The woman was crossing outside the designated crosswalk about 10 p.m. when she was hit, police said.
In a statement mourning Herzberg’s death, Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell said his city has been welcoming to self-driving tests “because of the promise the technology may offer in many areas,” particularly for seniors and the disabled.
In a tweet, National Transportation Safety Board officials said they were sending a team to Arizona to investigate the accident. Federal regulators have been supportive of the move toward autonomy.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi tweeted Monday that the company had “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.”
About 37,000 people were killed in traffic accidents in 2016, up 6 percent from the previous year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The incident is sure to add fuel to concerns on the part of some activists, such as Consumer Watchdog, who feel the technology that allows cars to sense their surroundings is not ready for prime time.