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Waymo Robotaxi Stalls on Venice Canals Bridge, Triggers 45-Minute Backup

Social media videos show a one-lane choke point with crowds coaxing the car forward through heavy foot traffic.

Overview

  • The driverless vehicle froze on a narrow bridge during the Venice Canals holiday boat parade in Los Angeles, halting a line of cars behind it.
  • Onlookers estimated the blockage lasted about 45 minutes and stretched roughly a mile, with no room to pass or turn around on the one-lane street.
  • Footage shows parade attendees cheering and calling out encouragement as the car hesitated and inched forward across the bridge.
  • A police officer was seen walking alongside the vehicle as pedestrians repeatedly cleared space, and the car ultimately crept over after prolonged delays.
  • Waymo did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and coverage links the episode to prior reports of robotaxi stalls and safety lapses, including failures around school buses and pet deaths.