Waymo Autonomous Vehicle Pulled Over for Illegal U-Turn in San Bruno DUI Operation Highlights Enforcement Gaps

During a DUI enforcement operation in San Bruno, California, police pulled over a driverless Waymo autonomous vehicle after it made an illegal U-turn near a checkpoint. Officers found no human driver inside and could not issue a citation, as current California laws do not allow traffic tickets to be issued to autonomous vehicles or their companies. The San Bruno Police Department contacted Waymo representatives to report the violation, but the vehicle was allowed to continue without penalty. This incident highlights a legal gap that is expected to be addressed by Assembly Bill 1777, effective July 2026, which will permit officers to issue notices of noncompliance directly to autonomous vehicle companies, though not fines. The event sparked public discussion about enforcement challenges and fairness between human drivers and autonomous cars, with many noting that self-driving vehicles have already accumulated numerous parking violations in the Bay Area. Police emphasized their commitment to keeping roads safe regardless of whether a human or robot is behind the wheel, while awaiting updated legislation to close enforcement loopholes.