G.M. Unit's Self-Driving Taxis Are Subject of U.S. Safety Investigation

No fatalities or serious injuries have been reported in Cruise cars, but the auto safety agency said the vehicles could potentially put people at risk. When Cruise taxis stop unexpectedly, they "may strand vehicle passengers in unsafe locations, such as lanes of travel or intersections, and become an unexpected obstacle to other road users," the agency said in its filing. "These immobilizations may increase the risk to exiting passengers. Further, immobilization may cause other road users to make abrupt or unsafe maneuvers to avoid colliding with the immobilized Cruise vehicle." The investigation covers 242 vehicles and is the first step before the agency could force G.M. to recall vehicles. This year, Cruise began offering autonomous taxi rides in part of San Francisco and during low-traffic nighttime hours.