Post Reports: What to Know Before Getting into a Driverless Taxi

Published on May 13, 2025 by The Washington Post

Introduction

In this episode of Post Reports, hosts Martine Powers and Elahe Izadi delve into the burgeoning world of driverless taxis, focusing on their experiences in San Francisco and the broader implications for urban transportation. Joined by tech columnist Jeff Fowler and tech reporter Lisa Bonos, the discussion navigates the promises and pitfalls of autonomous vehicles, regulatory landscapes, and the societal impact of this technological shift.

Experiencing Driverless Taxis in San Francisco

The episode opens with Jeff Fowler and Lisa Bonos sharing their firsthand experience commuting in a Waymo driverless taxi in San Francisco.

• Jeff Fowler narrates the experience of summoning a Waymo vehicle:

  "[00:24] The app, and the car will wait for two minutes. Oh, here it is."

• They describe the vehicle's autonomous operations, highlighting both the seamless aspects and minor hiccups:

  "[01:18] Heading to 490 Yost Avenue. This steering wheel is moving on its own. And there's a little sign on the steering wheel that says, do not touch me."

The Rise of Autonomous Vehicles

Martine Powers contextualizes the current landscape of autonomous vehicles in the U.S., emphasizing the expansion plans of companies like Waymo and Zoox, as well as Tesla's ambitious timelines.

• Martine Powers notes the regulatory support under the Trump administration:

  "[01:33] ...the Trump administration has signaled. [01:50] That it wants to pave the way for autonomous vehicle companies to expand."

• Jeff Fowler underscores the shift from niche tech enthusiasm to mainstream reality:

  "[02:28] ...this isn't just a weird San Francisco techy la la land kind of thing anymore. So get ready. Buckle up."

Safety Concerns and Data Analysis

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the safety of driverless taxis, juxtaposing Waymo's claims with real-world incidents and expert opinions.

• Waymo's Safety Claims:

  "[04:24] Waymo says that as of last fall, its cars have about 60% fewer police reported crashes compared to a human driving the same distance in the cities where it's available."

• Jeff Fowler challenges the definition of "safe":

  "[04:24] ...the data is suggesting that having more robot taxis on the road could decrease the number of accidents."
  "[05:22] ...if you're comparing apples to apples, the Waymos are a little bit safer."

• Incidents Highlighting Safety Issues:

  "[05:22] ...Waymo cars have killed people."
  "[10:04] Crews on scene saw multiple Waymo autonomous vehicles driving straight through this at full speed, ignoring public works vehicles trying to block this area off."

Unintended Consequences: Harassment and Social Dynamics

Beyond safety on the roads, the emergence of driverless taxis has introduced new social challenges.

• Harassment Towards Passengers:

  "[07:17] ...three of them women, who said they experienced harassment or what felt like threats to their safety from people who followed, obstructed, or attempted to enter the driverless vehicle during a ride."

• Underlying Issues:

  "[08:37] ...people can stand in front of a Waymo and it would not run you over, which means that you have a captive audience to pester a writer for their phone number..."

Regulatory Oversight and Legal Loopholes

The conversation shifts to the regulatory framework governing autonomous vehicles, revealing gaps and potential areas of concern.

• Limited Authority Over Moving Violations:

  "[18:38] Jeff Fowler: Police cannot ticket a Waymo in San Francisco."
  "[18:44] ...they can issue a notice of non-compliance to self-driving car companies, but it doesn't carry any real teeth."

• Legislative Shortcomings:

  "[18:41] Jeff Fowler: ...a bill that the California legislature passed last year... got watered down in the end."

• Potential Future of Oversight:

  "[19:58] Jeff Fowler: ...oversight's going to probably decrease in the next four years."

Future Prospects and Societal Impact

Looking ahead, the hosts and guests discuss the long-term vision of autonomous vehicles and their potential to reshape transportation.

• Ambitions of Tech Giants:

  "[20:32] Jeff Fowler: ...Waymo... is very much invested... to see, like, can driverless cars replace Uber in the future?"
  "[20:32] ...Elon Musk leans heavily into the idea that these cars are all safer when they're driven by robots."

• Mixed Public Sentiment:

  "[24:04] ...there is this mix of fascination and fear in equal parts and also anger at those who see these robot cars as potentially taking over jobs..."

Personal Reflections and Ethical Considerations

The episode concludes with personal insights from Jeff and Lisa on living alongside autonomous vehicles.

• Jeff Fowler reflects on the limitations of current technology:

  "[21:30] ...these things are pretty far away from having a human level social intelligence when it comes to driving."
  "[21:47] ...we are sharing the streets with a giant Google experiment that has mostly not hurt anyone. But is that an okay thing to do to the citizens of that city? I don't know."

• Broader Ethical Questions:

  "[25:29] ...you can't look in a driver's eye and say, hey, I'm crossing the street here. You just have to trust that the robot sees you."

Conclusion

This episode of Post Reports offers a comprehensive exploration of the current state and future trajectory of driverless taxis. Through firsthand accounts, data analysis, and expert commentary, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the benefits and challenges posed by autonomous vehicles. The discussion underscores the need for robust regulatory frameworks, ethical considerations, and ongoing technological advancements to ensure that the integration of driverless taxis enhances urban life without compromising safety or societal values.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeff Fowler [05:22]: "If you're comparing apples to apples, the Waymos are a little bit safer."

• Lisa Bonos [07:31]: "It's both fascinating and deeply depressing in terms of how even if there's an opportunity to solve one problem about harassment, it just creates another problem."

• Jeff Fowler [16:43]: "We are sharing the streets with a giant Google experiment that has mostly not hurt anyone. But is that an okay thing to do to the citizens of that city? I don't know."

Produced by Emma Talkoff, edited by Lucy Perkins, and mixed by Sam Baer.