Waymo Looking Into Vehicles Driving over Fireworks in San Francisco, Including 1 that Caught Fire
Severe congestion and unplanned road closures left some vehicles stuck for hours, and a few ran out of charge and had to be towed, Waymo said.
- On Saturday, July 4, several Waymo robotaxis stalled or required towing in San Francisco amid chaotic traffic following Independence Day fireworks celebrations.
- Heavy traffic from more than 100,000 people and unplanned road closures near the Golden Gate Bridge caused the unexpected gridlock that disrupted Waymo operations.
- Footage showed at least a dozen stationary Jaguar I-PACE vehicles lined up after the fireworks, while one drove through an erupting firework and others ran out of charge requiring towing.
- Mayoral spokesperson Charles Lutvak said Mayor Daniel Lurie's office will discuss future improvements with partners, while Waymo stated its roadside assistance team coordinated with local authorities to clear the area.
- Echoing a December 2025 blackout where 64 robotaxis stalled, the incident prompted renewed scrutiny as the Board of Supervisors had previously required the company to improve coordination with the city.
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Drivers Trapped for Hours in Hopeless Gridlock as Waymos Brick on Major Holiday
Revelers celebrating US independence day in San Francisco over the weekend were stopped in their tracks as an untold number of Waymo robotaxis stalled, exacerbating the city’s horrible holiday gridlock. According to NBC News, several Waymos had to be towed out of busy roadways after their batteries died on one of the city’s worst traffic days of the year so far. On top of intense fog and significant public transit slowdowns, travelers had to bob…
NBC San Diego
Waymo cars stranded on San Francisco streets as July Fourth gridlock drains batteries
Several Waymo vehicles had to be towed after the company said their batteries died while stuck in heavy San Francisco traffic during Fourth of July.
Waymo looking into vehicles driving over fireworks in San Francisco, including 1 that caught fire
Waymo is evaluating a couple of incidents on the Fourth of July in San Francisco in which its autonomous vehicles drove over fireworks, including one that caught fire.
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