Waymo Driverless Car Hits Child: NHTSA Investigates & Safety Concerns Rise

Recent incidents involving Waymo, the autonomous driving technology company owned by Alphabet, are drawing increased scrutiny from U.S. safety regulators. These events, occurring in California and Los Angeles, raise questions about the deployment of driverless vehicles in complex real-world scenarios and the technology’s performance in vulnerable situations.

Collision in Santa Monica

On January 23, a Waymo vehicle struck a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a preliminary evaluation of the incident. According to NHTSA records, the child sustained minor injuries.

Did You Know? The Waymo vehicle involved in the Santa Monica incident was operating with the company’s 5th Generation Automated Driving System and had no human safety supervisor present in the vehicle.

The collision occurred during school drop-off hours, with children, a crossing guard, and double-parked vehicles nearby. NHTSA reports that the child ran across the street from behind a parked SUV. Waymo states its technology detected the pedestrian as they entered the roadway and braked, reducing speed from approximately 17 mph to under 6 mph before impact. The company argues a human driver would likely have made contact at a higher speed—around 14 mph—suggesting a safety benefit to its system.

Separate Incident in Los Angeles

Just two days later, on January 25, a Waymo vehicle was involved in another incident in Los Angeles. A Zeekr vehicle, operating in manual mode with a human specialist present, sped through a one-way residential street and struck several parked cars, one of which was occupied. No injuries were reported. Waymo has not publicly explained how the vehicle ended up speeding.

Regulatory Concerns Expand

These incidents add to existing regulatory scrutiny surrounding Waymo’s operations. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently launched an investigation into Waymo robotaxis illegally passing stopped school buses in Austin, Texas. The Austin Independent School District identified at least 19 such incidents and has requested Waymo halt driverless operations during school bus hours until safety concerns are addressed. NHTSA is also investigating the performance of Waymo vehicles around school buses and their adherence to traffic laws.

Expert Insight: The simultaneous investigations by both the NTSB and NHTSA signal a heightened level of concern regarding the safety of autonomous vehicle technology, particularly in environments with vulnerable road users like children. The differing roles of the agencies—NTSB focusing on cause and prevention, NHTSA on defect investigations—suggest a comprehensive review of Waymo’s systems and operational protocols.

The NTSB investigates accidents to determine underlying causes and issues safety recommendations, while NHTSA focuses on potential defects and compliance with safety standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What injuries did the child sustain in the Santa Monica incident?

According to NHTSA records, the child sustained minor injuries.

Was a human driver present in the Waymo vehicle during the Los Angeles incident?

No, the vehicle was being operated in manual mode by a human specialist at the time of the incident.

How many incidents of Waymo vehicles passing stopped school buses have been identified in Austin, Texas?

The Austin Independent School District identified at least 19 incidents.

As Waymo continues to expand its autonomous vehicle services, regulators and the public will likely be watching closely to see how the company addresses these safety concerns and adapts its technology to navigate complex and potentially hazardous environments. It remains to be seen how these investigations will impact Waymo’s deployment strategy and the broader adoption of driverless technology.