Archive · 24 Jan 2026
US Probes Waymo Robotaxis for Passing School Buses
The US safety board is looking into Waymo's self-driving cars because they passed stopped school buses in Austin, Texas, 19 times.
Waymo had to update their software and recall over 3,000 cars.
The school district asked Waymo to stop driving near schools during pick-up and drop-off times, but Waymo said no.
Waymo says their cars are safer than human drivers and no crashes happened.
The safety board wants to make sure the cars are safe around schools.
US National Transportation Safety Board is investigating Waymo robotaxis for passing stopped school buses in Austin, Texas.
Waymo recalled over 3,000 vehicles to update software that caused them to pass stopped school buses.
Austin Independent School District reported 19 incidents and asked Waymo to halt operations around schools during pick-up and drop-off times.
Waymo refused to halt operations and stated their system is safer than human drivers with no collisions in the incidents.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a probe in October into Waymo vehicles near school buses.
- Who
- US National Transportation Safety Board, Waymo, Austin Independent School District
- What
- Investigation into Waymo robotaxis passing stopped school buses
- When
- Since the start of the school year, with a probe opened in October and investigation announced in December
- Where
- Austin, Texas
- Why
- To ensure safety and compliance with traffic laws around school buses
- Company Involved
- Waymo (Alphabet unit)
- Incident Location
- Austin, Texas
- Number of Incidents
- 19
- Vehicles Recalled
- 3,000+
- Safety Board Involved
- US National Transportation Safety Board
- School District Involved
- Austin Independent School District
- Waymo's Response
- No collisions occurred; system is continuously improving