The action by the California Public Utilities

 

The action by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is in addition to the agency’s October 24 automatic suspension of Cruise’s authority to carry passengers in driverless AVs, following a suspension of Cruise’s driverless permits from the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

 

The agencies suspended Cruise’s permits after an October 2 incident in which a pedestrian who was struck by a human driver and then landed in the adjacent lane was then run over by a Cruise robotaxi. The robotaxi hard braked and came to a stop with the pedestrian under the vehicle. The robotaxi then attempted to pull over, dragging the woman some 20 feet. That final decision by the robotaxi to attempt to pull over was part of the reason the agencies decided to suspend the permit.

 

The CPUC originally approved the permits for both Cruise and Waymo in August, despite mounting opposition for expanded robotaxi operations. San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu formally requested a rehearing in September on behalf of city transit and planning officials.