An Uber SUV in self-driving mode flipped onto its side after colliding with another car in Tempe, Arizona, prompting concerns about the safety of Uber autonomous cars and the industry as a whole.

The crash occurred when the Uber vehicle, operating in self-driving mode, was traveling at approximately 38 mph and entered an intersection as the traffic signal turned yellow. 

A driver in another vehicle, identified as Cole, failed to yield and struck the Uber SUV, which then hit a traffic signal pole before flipping and colliding with two additional cars. No serious injuries were reported, although some drivers experienced soreness and whiplash.

Witness testimonies indicated that the Uber vehicle may have been trying to beat the yellow light, a behaviour common with human drivers. While Cole was cited for failing to yield, the situation highlights the challenges engineers face in programming autonomous vehicles to navigate complex traffic situations safely.

Following the crash, Uber temporarily halted its self-driving operations but resumed testing three days later. The company stated that its vehicles are programmed either to cross intersections at yellow lights if safe or stop if they cannot do so comfortably. 

The incident raised concerns about the limitations of self-driving technology, particularly in scenarios where human driving behaviours diverge from traffic laws. 

It also formed part of a broader discussion surrounding the safety and regulatory frameworks for autonomous vehicles, especially in light of previous incidents involving self-driving technology.