safety
San Francisco faces criticism for July 4th gridlock
By KTVU FOX 2 News
· July 7, 2026
· 1 min read
Video of traffic gridlock, pedestrian crowds, bus lines, stalled Waymo driverless taxis, and one rider whose Waymo drove over an illegal firework as it burned on the street have prompted questions from the public about how San Francisco handled the planning and implementation of crowd control aft...
Why this matters in The San Francisco
The chaos that ensued after the July 4th fireworks show at the Golden Gate Bridge has raised concerns about San Francisco's ability to manage large crowds and ensure public safety. The fact that Waymo driverless taxis, which are being tested on city streets, were stalled in traffic and even drove over an illegal firework, suggests a lack of coordination between the city's transportation and public safety agencies. This incident also highlights the need for better planning and communication with the public about street closures, traffic rerouting, and crowd control measures. As the city continues to grow and attract large crowds for events, it must find ways to balance the needs of residents, visitors, and businesses with the need to keep people safe. The city's response to this incident will be closely watched, particularly in terms of how it adapts its crowd control strategies for future events.
About this story
Original reporting by KTVU FOX 2 News . The San Francisco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KTVU FOX 2 News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: KTVU FOX 2 News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Video of traffic gridlock, pedestrian crowds, bus lines, stalled Waymo driverless taxis, and one rider whose Waymo drove over an illegal firework as it burned on the street have prompted questions from the public about how San Francisco handled the planning and implementation of crowd control aft...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by KTVU FOX 2 News and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by KTVU FOX 2 News. To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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