A self-driven car became stuck at an intersection in the heart of the Los Angeles Jewish community Monday afternoon, sparking renewed concerns regarding the safety of autonomous vehicles, especially in densely populated neighborhoods.

During a bout of heavy rain, a Waymo driverless taxi malfunctioned and stalled directly in the center of the intersection at Beverly Boulevard and North La Brea Avenue, near Yeshiva Rav Isacsohn Toras Emes Academy.

A witness told Belaaz that the vehicle appeared to become “confused” by the inclement weather, freezing in place while oncoming traffic was forced to swerve around the obstacle.

“It stalled in the middle of the intersection. As you can see, cars are going around it and it’s pouring rain,” the concerned local resident told Belaaz.

The intersection, a critical artery for residents of the Hancock Park and La Brea areas, is frequently traversed by families and children.

The resident expressed deep concern that the novelty of the technology is masking serious safety risks, particularly for visitors to the area.

“Tourists from Lakewood or elsewhere.. they think [the cars] are so cute,” the resident said, noting the popularity of the driverless taxis among families visiting from out of town. “They don’t realize it’s really dangerous.”

This is not the first time autonomous vehicles have struggled with complex driving conditions. Industry experts have noted that heavy rain can interfere with the LIDAR and camera sensors these vehicles rely on to navigate. However, for the local residents, the technical explanation offers little comfort when safety is compromised near schools and shuls.

The witness continued. “I feel like this is my sharing, trying to educate people,” she stated. “They’re really not safe. They’re not safe at all.”