State Senator Scott, whose proposals for dense urban housing development have not always appealed to me, recently offered a welcome plan to thin out San Francisco’s driverless car traffic. He wants to see Tesla robotaxis impounded if they operate illegally in our city.
Some of Elon Musk’s fleet of robotaxis, already operating in Texas, is supposed to arrive soon on the streets of San Francisco, with human drivers seated in cars designed to run driverless. Tesla’s lawyers may claim that the addition of a driver to each robotaxi eliminates the illegality of permit law infraction. But the fact remains that his cars do not yet have the proper papers to roll around San Francisco.
Wiener said to theChronicle: “We have permitting and safety rules for a reason. Elon Musk isn’t exempt from those rules.” While I agree with this warning to Musk, I would go further, and urge Mayor Lurie to announce that not only will illegally operating Tesla robotaxis be impounded, they will be released only if and when necessary licenses have been secured and huge fines have been paid.
The fines should be exorbitant. Elon can afford it, although his car company has been losing money since the Tesla Takedown protests began objecting to his behavior.
At last, thanks to Musk’s lawlessness, San Francisco will have a new way to tax the rich, or at least tax the world’s richest man, without calling it a wealth tax. All the Board of Supervisors, the mayor and other interested parties have to do is ensure that the penalty for illegal car immigration in the city is high and properly enforced.
Mayor Daniel Lurie already has secured all the money that San Francisco’s police force needs for this project through his “billionaire’s budget.” Traffic cops and license inspectors should have sufficient numbers to collect the new revenue through vigilant enforcement of robotaxi regulations. (I’m not sure how you ask a robotaxi to show you its license; but if a human driver is placed in each car, as Tesla seems to be planning, the inquiry may be easier to make.)
Praise for the impoundments and fines should come from all quarters, except possibly Tesla headquarters. Republicans across the country, especially those in the White House and Congress, who in the past have called for law and order in California, should thank the mayor and supervisors for their efforts to keep the streets of San Francisco safe from Elon Musk and his robots.
One White House resident who has feuded with Musk recently, and reportedly sold a red Tesla sedan he bought from the DOGE leader, may take pleasure in seeing Musk’s cars impounded. In any case, since the offenses in question would be local and not Federal, Donald Trump would not be able to offer a presidential pardon to the the company’s CEO if he is arrested for illegal trafficking.
I look forward to the headlines: “Trump Refuses to Pardon Musk’s Robotaxi Rule Offenders.”
“Lyft, Uber and Waymo call for Tesla Boycott. Musk Vows to Buy All Three Companies and Close Them.”
“Defiant Tesla Fleet Blockades Market Street.”
“Walking Becomes Popular Again, Sidewalks Crowded.”
Joel Schechter, who has written several books on satire, prefers to ride Muni.
