Risky road test

A corporation now acquired by Uber says it sent an 18-wheel truck around the Reno area last May with no driver and no safety person in the vehicle. A video of the stunt has been attracting comment in the automotive and legal worlds.

Otto, the corporation, said it operated the truck “completely driverless without a safety driver in the backseat”—and, fortunately, without killing anyone. The drive was not licensed by the state, which had warned against it. Surprisingly, given the fact that officials knew the test drive was planned, the plainly marked Otto truck was not stopped on the highway.

Nevada’s Department of Motor Vehicles did not comment on what action, if any, it will take.