NHTSA probes Waymo robotaxis over school bus safety
NHTSA investigates Waymo's driverless cars near school buses
NHTSA probes Waymo robotaxis over school bus safety
NHTSA is investigating 2,000 Waymo driverless cars after reports of unsafe behavior near school buses, raising questions about safety, legality and trust.
2025-10-20T17:54:45+03:00
2025-10-20T17:54:45+03:00
2025-10-20T17:54:45+03:00
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into roughly 2,000 Waymo driverless cars after receiving reports that the robotaxis may have behaved dangerously around school buses. One incident described in the media drew particular attention: the autonomous vehicle stopped beside a bus, then pulled ahead and passed in front of it, ignoring the extended stop arm as children were stepping off.Investigators are assessing whether Waymo’s software violated traffic laws and whether it can reliably recognize these scenarios. For a technology marketed as a safer alternative to human driving, such episodes can quickly undercut confidence—especially since few situations demand more flawless judgment than a stopped school bus with children entering the roadway.Waymo, owned by Alphabet, has faced criticism before over contentious behavior on public roads, but previous disputes tended to involve questionable maneuvers rather than potential danger to children. The company has not commented yet, indicating it will present its official position later.Until automated systems can prove they handle the strictest edge cases—particularly near schools—their broad rollout will remain uncertain. Without public trust, scaling robotaxi services will be a steep climb.
NHTSA, Waymo, robotaxis, driverless cars, autonomous vehicles, school bus safety, investigation, Alphabet, traffic laws, self-driving software, public trust, U.S.
2025
Michael Powers
news
NHTSA investigates Waymo's driverless cars near school buses
NHTSA is investigating 2,000 Waymo driverless cars after reports of unsafe behavior near school buses, raising questions about safety, legality and trust.
Michael Powers, Editor
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into roughly 2,000 Waymo driverless cars after receiving reports that the robotaxis may have behaved dangerously around school buses. One incident described in the media drew particular attention: the autonomous vehicle stopped beside a bus, then pulled ahead and passed in front of it, ignoring the extended stop arm as children were stepping off.
Investigators are assessing whether Waymo’s software violated traffic laws and whether it can reliably recognize these scenarios. For a technology marketed as a safer alternative to human driving, such episodes can quickly undercut confidence—especially since few situations demand more flawless judgment than a stopped school bus with children entering the roadway.
Waymo, owned by Alphabet, has faced criticism before over contentious behavior on public roads, but previous disputes tended to involve questionable maneuvers rather than potential danger to children. The company has not commented yet, indicating it will present its official position later.
Until automated systems can prove they handle the strictest edge cases—particularly near schools—their broad rollout will remain uncertain. Without public trust, scaling robotaxi services will be a steep climb.
