Arizona Governor Halts Uber’s Self-Driving Cars Following Fatal Accident

Arizona’s governor has suspended Uber’s self-driving car testing in the state following a crash last week that killed a pedestrian.

Governor Doug Ducey released a letter sent to Uber Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi saying he found a video of the crash “disturbing and alarming, and it raises many questions about the ability of Uber to continue testing in Arizona.”

Arizona has been an important testing ground for Uber. The company moved its driverless cars to Arizona from San Francisco after being shut down by California regulators for not having the proper permits. The company was reportedly testing around 100 self-driving cars in Arizona, employing hundreds of workers. Uber’s technology, however, is considered inferior to rivals by many industry watchers. The company had already pulled its self-driving cars off the road following the accident and is cooperating with officials on an investigation.

Police, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the March 18 accident. Reports show that a woman crossing a four-lane road at night was hit by an Uber self-driving SUV.

 

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