ComfortDelGro to stop U-turn testing for AVs at Punggol junction after near miss; LTA investigating
The development follows a near-miss accident between another AV and a girl on Nov 5.
ComfortDelGro (CDG) has been instructed to cease testing U-turns for its autonomous vehicles (AVs) at a specific traffic junction in Punggol following a close call between one of its AVs and another vehicle. This suspension came in the wake of another near-accident involving a Grab AV, which almost struck a girl on November 5. A dashcam video released by CDG on November 8 shows an AV parked behind the stop line at the junction in Punggol Field, proceeding to turn into the path of an approaching vehicle.
Both cars can be seen gradually slowing down. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is currently investigating the incident and has directed CDG to stop U-turns at the junction as a precautionary measure. According to an LTA spokesperson, the incident took place while CDG was testing AVs on a route meant for its enhanced on-demand service, which is distinct from CDG's regular shuttle routes.
The spokesperson expressed gratitude to the public for providing the video footage. CDG operates one of three AV routes in Punggol, with its AVs manufactured by Chinese autonomous driving company Pony.ai. This latest development follows the earlier incident on November 5, where a Grab AV was directed to cease testing at certain Punggol junctions after attempting a left turn and narrowly missing a girl. The Straits Times has reached out to CDG for further details regarding the recent incident.
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