CALIFORNIA – General Motors’ autonomous driving unit, known as Cruise, has been sanctioned by California regulators with the maximum fine due to its delay in reporting critical details about an accident involving one of its robotaxis.
In October 2023, a Cruise robotaxi struck and dragged a pedestrian, prompting California regulators to revoke the company’s permit to operate driverless vehicles. Subsequently, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) accused Cruise of “misrepresenting” and “omitting” essential information in the accident reports submitted to the regulators.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has officially ordered Cruise to pay a fine of $112,500. This decision came after a hearing in which the regulator increased the initial fine request from $75,000 to $112,500.
“We appreciate the opportunity to have reached a resolution with the CPUC. In recent months, we have taken significant steps to improve our leadership, processes, and culture,” Cruise stated in a release.
The fine corresponds to $7,500 for each of the 15 days of delay in reporting the critical details to the regulator. Additionally, Cruise will now be required to submit regular “collision” reports to both the CPUC and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Cruise has reaffirmed its commitment to safety and transparency, implementing significant improvements in its internal processes.
The fine imposed on Cruise by California regulators underscores the need for strict adherence to safety and transparency regulations in the autonomous driving industry. As Cruise works to regain the trust of the public and regulators, its commitment to continuous improvement and accountability will be crucial for its future success in the autonomous vehicle market.
