It is Time to Change the Autonomous Vehicles Regulatory Approach: Policy Lessons from the Cruise Incident October 2, 2023

An October 2024 report from HKS Professor Mark Fagan, "It is Time to Change the Autonomous Vehicles Regulatory Approach" examines the implications of a pedestrian incident involving a Cruise autonomous vehicle (AV) in San Francisco, highlighting gaps in the regulatory framework. Following an October 2023 incident in which a pedestrian was struck and dragged by a Cruise vehicle, the report calls for a more robust regulatory approach, focusing on three core challenges: insufficient safety prioritization, lack of transparency, and minimal verification of AV compliance. Cruise’s handling of the incident, characterized by delayed information disclosure and lack of proactive safety protocols, underscores broader issues in the regulatory landscape that failed to enforce a “safety-first” culture and to establish rigorous standards for AV testing and deployment.

The report, co-authored by Damien Bérubé, Lior Sirkis, William Stevenson, and Jamey Tesler, suggests key regulatory reforms advocating for a phased, learn-build-expand model to gradually introduce AVs while enhancing transparency and public trust. It recommends that regulators impose stricter verification protocols, mandate detailed incident response plans, and involve third parties to close expertise gaps. By emphasizing transparent communication, local government engagement, and verification processes, these recommendations aim to foster public confidence and ensure the safe deployment of AV technology on public roads.

Read the report here.