No Safe Words, a user on X, announced that while robotaxis are generally safer than human drivers, they face challenges navigating intersections during power outages and can block emergency vehicles in New York, highlighting operational limits in the city’s complex traffic environment.
According to No Safe Words, all current robotaxi platforms are technically safer than human drivers but perform poorly in other critical aspects of driving. The user suggests that although stopping all vehicles would eliminate collision-related deaths and injuries, it could lead to chaos through fights, shootings, and economic shutdowns. Concerns were raised about Waymo’s inability to navigate intersections during power outages, potentially blocking emergency vehicles in cities like New York.
A report from the United States Government Accountability Office indicates that New York consistently reports higher rates of rideshare-related assaults compared to other states. Uber’s safety features—such as GPS tracking, emergency buttons, and rider ratings—are designed to provide transparency and quick response capabilities to mitigate risks in these incidents. These tools offer users greater safety assurances in New York’s high-density setting compared to autonomous systems facing operational limitations.
The New York Times has reported that Uber tracks safety incidents involving drivers and passengers across U.S. cities. Uber’s model incorporates active safety features like GPS tracking and emergency buttons that allow for immediate intervention, offering greater reliability in dynamic city environments compared with autonomous platforms.
The Transport Workers Union has expressed strong opposition to the introduction of robotaxis in New York City. They cite safety risks such as blocking emergency vehicles and endangering pedestrians. The union warns that Waymo’s technology is not ready for the city’s busy streets and could turn New Yorkers into crash test dummies.
