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Google acknowledges 11 accidents with its self-driving cars

May 11, 2015

photo shows a Google self-driving Lexus at a Google event outside the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, Calif. Of the nearly 50 self-driving cars rolling around California roads and highways, four have gotten into accidents since September, 2014. That’s when the state officially began permitting these cars of the future, which use sensors and computing power to maneuver around traffic. Three accidents involved souped-up Lexus SUVs run by Google Inc. The fourth was an Audi retrofitted by the parts supplier Delphi Automotive. Google and Delphi said the accidents were minor and their cars were not at fault.(AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Google Inc. says its self-driving cars have been in 11 minor traffic accidents since it began experimenting with the technology six years ago.

The company says none of these minor collisions was caused by its cars, and that it has avoided many major accidents over 1.7 million miles traveled, much of it with drivers just along for the ride.

The company released the total number after The Associated Press reported Monday that California has received four collision reports involving self-driving cars since it began requiring them last September. Three of those involved Google’s cars.

Critics say more transparency is needed to assure the public the technology is safe.