Introduction: A Turning Point in Transportation
The rise of driverless vehicles has long been positioned as the next frontier in transportation. Autonomous cars promise reduced costs, streamlined logistics, and fewer accidents. But recent events in Los Angeles have revealed serious vulnerabilities — not only in the technology itself but in how it functions during real-world crises.
At Cars on Demand, we strongly believe that chauffeured cars driven by humans are better. When safety, privacy, and adaptability are at stake, the human element becomes not just valuable but essential.
What Happened in Los Angeles?
On June 8, 2025, during widespread protests tied to immigration raids, several Waymo autonomous vehicles became unexpected symbols of controversy. Protesters targeted the driverless cars, vandalising and setting them ablaze. The destruction wasn’t just visual — it was dangerous.
Waymo’s robotaxis are electric and powered by lithium-ion batteries. When those batteries catch fire, they release hazardous chemicals. According to a Scientific American article, burning lithium-ion batteries emit toxic gases like hydrogen fluoride that can cause severe respiratory injuries — even coughing up blood within minutes of exposure. Emergency crews responding to these fires faced risks far beyond the flames.
This moment underscored the core limitation of driverless technology: when things go wrong, there is no human behind the wheel to make a judgement call or protect the passengers or the public.
The Limits of Driverless Technology
Despite the hype, we are not quite there yet with driverless cars. A 2025 national survey found that 60 percent of Americans still feel uncomfortable riding in autonomous vehicles, and enthusiasm has dropped to just 13 percent, down from 18 percent in 2022.
Between 2021 and 2024, Waymo’s fleet was involved in nearly 700 traffic incidents. While not all were their fault, the sheer frequency raises questions about real-world safety. Robotaxis lack the situational awareness and decision-making finesse that professional drivers develop over years.
And in high-pressure scenarios, accidents, protests, road closures — a self-driving car is not equipped to assess complex emotional or environmental cues.
The Surveillance Factor: Privacy Under Threat
Modern driverless cars come with extensive onboard camera systems, many of which feed 360-degree video footage to central servers. Police departments have already tapped into Waymo’s data for unrelated investigations, raising deep concerns about civil liberties.
Critics argue that driverless fleets effectively act as roving surveillance tools, watching everything but serving no one. A human chauffeur from Cars on Demand offers a personal service without invasive monitoring or data collection.
Why Chauffeured Cars Driven by Humans Are Better
1. Human Judgment in Crisis
Whether responding to sudden weather changes, roadblocks, or civil unrest, a trained chauffeur provides calm, informed action. A robotaxi simply cannot replicate that.
Cars on Demand professionals are trained to handle unexpected scenarios with composure and care.
2. Personalised Service
From assisting with luggage to adjusting climate preferences, a chauffeur ensures the ride is smooth and tailored to each passenger. Robots can’t provide hospitality.
Our corporate transfer service is designed around professionalism, punctuality, and exceptional service.
3. Privacy and Discretion
Robotaxis gather data constantly. Our vehicles do not. Cars on Demand guarantees discretion with features like phone number masking, no call logs, and secure bookings for VIPs and families.
What the Future Holds
There’s no denying that autonomous technology will play a role in tomorrow’s transport ecosystem. But for high-value, high-stakes travel — airport transfers, corporate meetings, event arrivals — professional chauffeurs are irreplaceable.
A hybrid future may exist, but chauffeured cars driven by humans are better for service quality, adaptability, and peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
The Waymo incidents in Los Angeles should serve as a wake-up call. When systems fail or public safety is on the line, people want a human to step in not a machine to stall.
At Cars on Demand, our commitment is to safe, secure and high-quality transfers, every time. Whether it’s a routine airport run or a high-stakes corporate itinerary, our human chauffeurs deliver what technology alone cannot.
Because when the unexpected happens, it’s the human behind the wheel who makes all the difference.