Vandals Attack Self-Driving Taxi in Los Angeles, Raising Safety Concerns

A group of vandals attacked an empty self-driving taxi in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 25, 2025, causing significant damage. The incident occurred outside the Beverly Center, where the taxi was stopped at a red light.

According to eyewitnesses, the group of people surrounded the vehicle and began kicking, hitting, and jumping on it. The taxi’s door was ripped off, and its windshield and windows were shattered. At least one tire was also flattened.

The company operating the taxi, Waymo, confirmed that the vehicle was empty at the time of the attack and that no one was injured. The company is working with authorities to investigate the incident.

“We take these sorts of events extremely seriously and remain committed to improving road safety and mobility in the cities where we operate,” said Waymo spokeswoman Julia Ilina.

This incident highlights growing tensions between autonomous vehicles and some members of the public. Similar attacks have occurred in other cities, including San Francisco and Texas.

The incident also raises questions about how autonomous vehicles should respond to such situations. Unlike human-driven vehicles, self-driving cars are programmed to prioritize safety and may not be able to drive away from a threatening situation.

As the use of autonomous vehicles becomes more widespread, there is a growing need for clearer laws and regulations to protect these vehicles and their occupants.

Sources:

• Owen Bellwood, “Crowd Shatters Windows, Rips Door Off Empty Waymo Cab Stopped In LA”, January 28, 2025
• KTLA 5 via YouTube
• LA Times