Driverless taxis, developed by General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) subsidiary Cruise, have lost the right to operate in California after a chaotic rollout onto the roads of San Francisco.
Citing public safety concerns, California's Department of Motor Vehicles suspended the self-driving vehicles from the state’s roads on Tuesday.
“Based upon the performance of the vehicles, the department determines the manufacturer's vehicles are not safe for the public's operation,” a statement read.
Adding that they posed “an unreasonable risk to public safety”, the department said Cruise had “misrepresented any information related to safety of [its] autonomous technology”.
Cruise’s vehicles have been involved in several incidents since receiving the green light to carry paying passengers round the clock in August.
These include cases where a self-driving vehicle came together with a fire engine, alongside numerous other reports where they caused delays to other emergency services.
An incident earlier this month in which one of the cars hit and dragged a pedestrian who came into its path following another collision appears to have dealt the final blow to the company.
“We are devastated by what happened to the victim and are committed, as always, to continuously improving our safety,” Cruise said in a Tuesday statement on the incident.
Whether Cruise appeals the decision remains to be seen, with a motor department spokesperson explaining that “deficiencies” would have to be addressed for another permit to be awarded.