At a Glance
- Waymo is under its first NTSB investigation for illegally passing stopped school buses.
- Over 20 incidents in Austin, Texas, prompted the probe.
- A preliminary report is due in 30 days, with a final report in 12 to 24 months.
- Why it matters: The safety board’s findings could shape the future of autonomous ride-share services.
Waymo’s autonomous vehicles have been caught repeatedly passing stopped school buses, sparking the National Transportation Safety Board’s first investigation into the company. The probe follows a prior NHTSA inquiry and a software recall, and comes as Waymo expands its robotaxi service across the United States.
Investigation Details
The NTSB announced on X that it would investigate more than 20 incidents involving Waymo robotaxis failing to stop for loading or unloading students in Austin, Texas. The board will travel to Austin to collect evidence. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, with a final report slated for release in 12 to 24 months.
This marks Waymo’s first NTSB inquiry, but the second overall investigation into its school bus problem. The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened a similar probe in October. Waymo issued a software recall last year to address the issue, yet updates have not fully resolved the problem.
The Austin school district has asked Waymo to suspend operations during pickup and drop-off times after cameras captured several illegal maneuvers.
Waymo’s Response
“We safely navigate thousands of school bus encounters weekly across the United States, and the Waymo Driver is continuously improving. There have been no collisions in the events in question, and we are confident that our safety performance around school buses is superior to human drivers,” said Mauricio Peña, Waymo’s chief safety officer. He added, “We see this as an opportunity to provide the NTSB with transparent insights into our safety-first approach.”
Peña also highlighted a partnership with the Austin Independent School District, noting success in reducing human-driven violations around school buses from 10,000+ a year.
Timeline of Incidents
| Date | Location | Incident Summary |
|---|---|---|
| September 2023 | Atlanta | Waymo vehicle passed a stopped school bus, crossing perpendicularly and turning left while children disembarked. |
| September 2023 | Austin | Multiple videos show Waymo vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses during pickup and drop-off. |
| October 2023 | Austin | NHTSA opens probe into Waymo’s school bus problem. |
| Friday 2024 | Austin | NTSB announces investigation into more than 20 incidents. |
Expansion Amid Investigation
Just this week, Waymo launched a robotaxi service in Miami, adding to its operations in Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and the San Francisco Bay Area. The expansion occurs despite the ongoing safety concerns.
NTSB’s Role
Unlike the NHTSA, the NTSB is not a regulatory agency and cannot impose fines. Its focus is on deep investigations to identify root causes. After completing an investigation, the board often holds hearings and issues non-binding recommendations.
Key Takeaways
- Waymo’s first NTSB probe centers on more than 20 incidents of illegal passing of stopped school buses.
- A preliminary report is due in 30 days, with a final report in 12 to 24 months.
- The company has issued a software recall and is working with school districts to suspend operations during peak times.
- Waymo’s expansion into new markets continues amid safety scrutiny.
About the Author
Robert K. Lawson is a reporter who has spent a decade covering the rapidly-evolving business and technology of the transportation industry, including Tesla and the many startups chasing Elon Musk. Most recently, he was a reporter at Bloomberg News where he helped break stories about some of the most notorious EV SPAC flops. He previously worked at The Verge, where he also covered consumer technology, hosted many short- and long-form videos, performed product and editorial photography, and once nearly passed out in a Red Bull Air Race plane.
You can contact or verify outreach from Robert K. Lawson by emailing sean.okane@News Of Philadelphia.com or via encrypted message at okane.01 on Signal.
