Why Are Waymo Autonomous Vehicles Being Threatened in Phoenix?

Waymo autonomous vehicles are being tested on Phoenix roadways in order to make deliveries faster and more convenient. However, not every resident sees things that way, and some people in the community are openly hostile to the Waymo vehicles. There are have been several documented incidents of threats, damage, and aggression involving Waymo vehicles and the people that are test driving them. Why is there so much public annoyance with the Waymo project?

Accounts of Threatening Behavior

The most surprising incident involving a Waymo vehicle happened in Chandler on August 1. Roy Leonard Haselton turned himself into police and admitted that he stood at the end of his driveway and waved a gun at a Waymo vehicle in a bid to scare the driver. Other incidents have included rocks being thrown at the vans, slashed tires, standing in front of the vehicles to block their progress, and attempts to run the vehicles off the road. This kind of behavior has persisted through the duration of Waymo’s testing period.

Waymo’s Response to Aggressive Behavior

Waymo’s policy is for drivers to use their in-car communication system to contact dispatch when they witness threatening behavior, though drivers are free to call the police if they feel that the situation warrants it. Generally, Waymo does not report incidents to the police or follow through on charges against people, through Haselton is facing aggressive assault and disorderly conduct charges. The police have asked Waymo to report all incidents in a timely fashion, but the company does not always do so.

Reasons for Threatening Actions

Many residents in the area are unhappy about Waymo vehicle testing and are suspicious of self-driving vehicles, particularly after a local death involving a self-driving Uber. Others are worried that Waymo will push them out of their jobs once the vehicles are fully active.  

Xcel Delivery Services stays at the forefront of technology in the shipping and delivering industry while committing to the safety of the communities that we serve. If you have questions about shipping services in Phoenix, call (602) 368-1300.

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