San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie requested tougher state requirements for autonomous vehicle operators like Waymo. This demand follows a significant traffic gridlock event on July 4th.
Dozens of Waymo robotaxis stalled on city streets during fireworks display road closures. Some vehicles ran out of battery and required towing. The incident exacerbated local traffic congestion for several hours.
Mayor Lurie sent a formal letter to California's transportation secretary regarding the incident. He argued that current regulations for typical driving conditions are insufficient. Companies must now prove reliability during major events with large crowds and shifting traffic patterns.
This regulatory push follows previous disruptions, including a city-wide power outage in December 2025. That earlier event also left numerous Waymo robotaxis stranded across San Francisco.