Waymo Faces Federal Investigation Over School Bus Violations

BREAKING: Waymo is under federal investigation for multiple traffic violations involving its autonomous vehicles around stopped school buses in Austin, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed the probe after Waymo’s vehicles were reported to have violated essential traffic safety laws, raising urgent safety concerns.

The NHTSA’s investigation was officially announced on November 20, 2023, following a troubling incident in which a Waymo vehicle “failed to remain stopped” near a school bus in Atlanta. The agency has requested detailed information from Waymo regarding its automated driving system and its adherence to traffic laws around school buses.

Since the start of the school year, Waymo has accumulated 20 citations for passing stopped school buses in Austin alone, with Austin Independent School District (ISD) acknowledging at least 19 of these violations. According to a report from CBS Austin, the school district has urged Waymo to “immediately cease” operations during school pick-up and drop-off hours until thorough software updates are implemented.

The district’s letter outlined that Waymo is averaging 1.5 violations per week, creating an alarming risk for students. “We cannot allow Waymo to continue endangering our students while it attempts to implement a fix,” Austin ISD stated. Despite the district’s request, Waymo reportedly denied halting operations near school bus routes.

In response to the ongoing violations, Waymo claimed it has “swiftly implemented software updates” to mitigate the issues and will continue refining its approach. However, the NHTSA has expressed concern that the unexpected driving behaviors of Waymo’s autonomous vehicles could lead to increased risks of crashes, injuries, and property damage.

Waymo has until January 20, 2024, to respond to NHTSA’s requests. Should the company fail to meet these demands “promptly and fully,” it may face civil penalties of up to $27,874 per violation per day.

As Waymo navigates the complexities of autonomous vehicle technology, the implications for public safety are becoming increasingly critical. With the NHTSA’s investigation underway, the focus will remain on how effectively Waymo can address these serious concerns and protect the safety of students in the vicinity of school bus stops.

This developing situation underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures in the rapidly evolving field of autonomous transportation. Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.