The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on September 30 that General Motors’ Cruise self-driving unit will pay a $1.5 million fine for failing to disclose critical details about an October 2023 incident involving a pedestrian.
This settlement requires GM to submit a corrective action plan aimed at enhancing compliance with reporting serious incidents, and it imposes increased reporting requirements on the automaker for the next two years.
The incident in question occurred in San Francisco when a Cruise robotaxi struck a pedestrian who had been hit by another vehicle, subsequently dragging her approximately 20 feet.
Reports indicate that Cruise employees attempted to persuade the NHTSA against opening an investigation into the pedestrian’s injuries, and they did not inform the agency that the pedestrian had been dragged.
According to the NHTSA, Cruise has submitted incomplete reports concerning multiple crashes involving its automated driving systems, including two related to the October incident.
In addition to the federal penalty, the California Public Utilities Commission previously imposed a fine of $112,500 on GM for its failure to provide complete information regarding the crash.
Despite the ongoing investigations by the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission into Cruise and the incident, Cruise Chief Safety Officer Steve Kenner expressed optimism following the agreement with the NHTSA. He remarked that the agreement “is a step forward in a new chapter for Cruise, building on our progress under new leadership, improved processes and culture, and a firm commitment to great transparency with our regulators.”
