General Motors' self-driving subsidiary, Cruise, has been fined $1.5 million by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for failing to provide complete details of a serious pedestrian accident in October 2023. The fine comes as part of a settlement in which Cruise will also need to implement a corrective action plan and adhere to increased reporting obligations for at least the next two years.
In the detailed account of the incident, the NHTSA highlighted that Cruise did not disclose that the pedestrian, who was initially struck by another vehicle, was subsequently dragged 20 feet by one of its autonomous robotaxis in San Francisco. This lapse in reporting prompted a review by the NHTSA, which also included additional investigations into other crashes involving Cruise's automated driving systems.
As part of the corrective measures, Cruise is required to submit to the NHTSA a comprehensive plan outlining steps to improve its incident reporting processes. This plan aims to ensure greater transparency and compliance with regulatory standards. Furthermore, Cruise faces ongoing investigations by the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the incident.
The scrutiny over Cruise's handling of the incident comes amid broader concerns about the safety of autonomous vehicles. In August, following an NHTSA investigation, Cruise recalled 1,200 robotaxis due to issues with abrupt braking. Moreover, the fallout from the October accident led to the resignation of Cruise's CEO and a strategic pullback in funding for GM's self-driving technology initiatives.
In addition to federal penalties, the California Public Utilities Commission imposed a $112,500 fine on Cruise for its delay in providing complete information about the crash.
