Both of the cars were stopped beside each other at a stoplight when the pedestrian was crossing the road.
Here is what a human driver could have done in this situation that the Cruise car did not:
1) Look over at the other driver for whom the coast is not clear. Are they paying attention? Do they see the pedestrian? Are they texting on their phone?
2) Be aware that sometimes distracted drivers will start moving their car again when they see that the car beside them has started to drive.
3) If the other driver is distracted, wave to try to get their attention. Roll down your window. Yell "hey!" and point to the pedestrian. As a last resort you can use your car horn, but that may make them lurch forward into the pedestrian.
4) If your attempts to make sure the other driver is paying attention have failed, you should NOT go, even if the light has turned green, until you have assured that the pedestrian has safely crossed the road. You should be prepared to motion to other drivers that come after that they also need to stop to prevent the pedestrian from being run over by multiple cars.
I get it, all this situational awareness stuff is difficult to code, but it's an important part of driving.
Here is what a human driver could have done in this situation that the Cruise car did not:
1) Look over at the other driver for whom the coast is not clear. Are they paying attention? Do they see the pedestrian? Are they texting on their phone?
2) Be aware that sometimes distracted drivers will start moving their car again when they see that the car beside them has started to drive.
3) If the other driver is distracted, wave to try to get their attention. Roll down your window. Yell "hey!" and point to the pedestrian. As a last resort you can use your car horn, but that may make them lurch forward into the pedestrian.
4) If your attempts to make sure the other driver is paying attention have failed, you should NOT go, even if the light has turned green, until you have assured that the pedestrian has safely crossed the road. You should be prepared to motion to other drivers that come after that they also need to stop to prevent the pedestrian from being run over by multiple cars.
I get it, all this situational awareness stuff is difficult to code, but it's an important part of driving.