A Google Self-Driving Car Has Crashed In California

A Google self-driving Lexus RX 450h was involved in a crash with a van in Mountain View, Calif. on Friday afternoon, according to local police. Thankfully, nobody was injured in the accident.

Two local TV stations, KRON and KPIX, reported that the Google autonomous vehicle had been “in control,” or in its self-driving mode at the time of the crash.

However, the self-driving car was reportedly manned by a Google employee who took over its operation, and applied the brakes when the van’s driver began crossing an intersection, possibly running a red light.

The crash comes just after the U.S. Department of Transportation made some major autonomous vehicle policy announcements 

Among other things, the DOT called on self-driving auto makers and related technology firms to prioritize safety, and share data with the government and each other within reason.

Generally, DOT officials say they want to ensure the U.S. can be a leader rather than a laggard in autonomous vehicles, while protecting the traveling public.

Source: TechCrunch