Home / Technology / Waymo Robotaxis Cited for 19 School Bus Violations
Waymo Robotaxis Cited for 19 School Bus Violations
5 Dec
Summary
- Waymo robotaxis passed stopped school buses 19 times this year.
- NHTSA is investigating Waymo over its autonomous vehicle operations.
- Austin schools demand Waymo cease operations during student travel times.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has requested further information from Waymo regarding its autonomous driving system and operational procedures. This action follows numerous reports of Waymo robotaxis allegedly passing school buses illegally. The Austin School District has specifically reported 19 instances of such violations since the beginning of the current school year, raising serious safety concerns for students.
The NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation initiated a probe in October after a Waymo vehicle was observed maneuvering around a stopped school bus that was unloading children. While Waymo has stated it issued software updates to improve performance, the Austin School District noted that at least five alleged violations occurred after these updates were implemented. The district has formally asked Waymo to cease operations during specific hours when students are commuting.
Waymo maintains that its software updates have significantly improved its system's performance, claiming a reduction in injury-related crashes. However, the Austin School District disputes the effectiveness of these updates, emphasizing the continued risks to student safety. Federal regulators are now inquiring whether Waymo has suspended operations as requested by the school district and if a recall is planned.
