California Police Pull Over Waymo Robotaxi During DUI Checkpoint, Citing Regulatory Gaps

During a DUI enforcement operation in San Bruno, California, police officers pulled over a Waymo autonomous vehicle after it made an illegal U-turn. Since there was no human driver, officers were unable to issue a ticket, noting their citation books do not accommodate driverless cars. The San Bruno Police Department contacted Waymo to report the incident, referring to it as a "glitch," while Waymo stated their autonomous driving system is designed to obey traffic laws and that they are investigating the event to enhance safety. California legislation passed last year will allow officers to issue notices of noncompliance to companies operating autonomous vehicles starting in 2026, enabling enforcement for future traffic violations by driverless cars. The incident highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in regulating autonomous vehicles, though police emphasized their commitment to keeping streets safe regardless of driver type. Waymo operates robotaxis in various cities, including San Francisco and Silicon Valley, and plans to expand services to local airports.