The arrival of Waymo driverless vehicles in Chicago raises a crucial question: How do we balance embracing transformative technology with ensuring public safety? The debate over autonomous vehicles often divides, with one arguing that regulation is an obstacle to progress, another arguing that we should pause on innovation until all future risks are resolved. These instincts are inadequate for a large city like Chicago, where the regulatory framework is still forming. Public safety officials need to stop treating public safety as a matter of emergency situations. Clear operational protocols for emergency conditions, clear testing, and collaboration between developers, regulators, and public-safety leaders should be required before allowing autonomous vehicles onto streets. The author suggests that collaboration with the private sector should be ongoing rather than a one-time approval.