Gov. Ducey Suspends Uber's Autonomous Vehicle Testing In Arizona

By Heather van Blokland
Published: Tuesday, March 27, 2018 - 10:23am
Letter from Gov. Ducey to Uber's CEO.

Governor Doug Ducey has suspended Uber's ability to test self-driving cars on Arizona roads. The governor’s move follows a fatal crash last week that killed a pedestrian.

Ducey sent a letter Monday to Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi after viewing police video of the fatal crash, showing the self-driving car hitting and killing 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg on Mill Avenue near Curry Road.

In his letter, Ducey called the incident “disturbing and alarming.” He also called the incident an “unquestionable failure” to comply with safety expectations of the state.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are investigating the crash.

Uber started testing in Arizona in 2015, after Ducey issued an executive order welcoming self-driving companies to the state. Arizona has since been prime testing ground for autonomous vehicles.

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