Google acknowledges 11 accidents with its self-driving cars

FILE – This May 13, 2014 file photo shows a row of Google self-driving Lexus cars at a Google event outside the Computer History Museum in Mountain View,…

FILE – This May 13, 2014 file photo shows a row of Google self-driving Lexus cars 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. Thats when the state officially began […]

by: Web Staff

Posted: May 11, 2015 / 11:25 AM HST

Updated: May 11, 2015 / 11:25 AM HST

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.