local
Trapped in a haywire Waymo: SF passenger recounts terrifying construction zone ordeal
By KGO at ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC)
· June 20, 2026
· 1 min read
"There were signs. There were lights. There were cones. And it went through the cones and then sped up straight away," said Slade. To make matters even worse, Slade says a nearby CHP officer began chasing them after seeing what was going on.
Key takeaway And it went through the cones and then sped up straight away," said Slade.
Why this matters in The San Francisco
The harrowing experience of being trapped in a malfunctioning Waymo vehicle navigating a construction zone raises concerns about the safety of San Francisco 's streets. With the city's complex network of roads and frequent construction projects, the potential for autonomous vehicles to misinterpret or disregard traffic control measures is a pressing issue. The fact that a CHP officer was in the vicinity and able to respond quickly is a testament to the city's emphasis on public safety, but it also highlights the need for closer collaboration between law enforcement and the companies developing autonomous vehicles. As Waymo and other companies continue to test and deploy their vehicles in San Francisco, the city's residents will be watching closely to see how they address the safety concerns that this incident has brought to the forefront. The city's unique blend of narrow streets and heavy traffic makes it a challenging environment for autonomous vehicles to operate in.
About this story
Original reporting by ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) . 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 ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 20, 2026 ·
Source: ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? "There were signs. There were lights. There were cones. And it went through the cones and then sped up straight away," said Slade. To make matters even worse, Slade says a nearby CHP officer began chasing them after seeing what was going on.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 20, 2026 by ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by KGO at ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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