CRBC News
Politics
Conflict
Security
Economy
Science
Technology
Environment
Health
Culture
Society
Lifestyle
Technology

Waymo Under Scrutiny After 19 Alleged School-Bus Violations in Texas

04:28 AM, 12/05/2025
Waymo Under Scrutiny After 19 Alleged School-Bus Violations in Texas

U.S. safety regulators have asked Waymo for more information after Texas officials reported 19 alleged incidents of the company's self-driving vehicles passing school buses illegally since the school year began. NHTSA opened a probe in October after a Georgia vehicle reportedly failed to stop for a bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm. Austin Independent School District said five incidents occurred in November and asked Waymo to suspend operations near schools during pick-up and drop-off times until compliance can be assured. Waymo said it deployed software updates but did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

U.S. Regulators Seek Answers After Multiple School-Bus Incidents

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has asked Waymo for additional information after Texas officials reported that the Alphabet unit's autonomous vehicles allegedly passed school buses illegally 19 times since the start of the school year.

NHTSA opened a formal probe in October following an incident in Georgia in which a Waymo vehicle reportedly failed to remain stopped while approaching a school bus displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm. That investigation has since broadened as agencies review similar reports.

Austin Independent School District told NHTSA that five of the Texas incidents occurred in November. The district said the events happened after Waymo said it had deployed software updates intended to address the problem and asked the company to suspend operations around schools during pick-up and drop-off times until it could guarantee compliance with state law.

Waymo has said it issued software updates to address the issue but did not immediately respond to requests for further comment. NHTSA's request for more information is part of its effort to determine whether the vehicles are compliant with traffic laws and safe to operate near schools.

What Happens Next: NHTSA will review Waymo's responses and relevant operational data to decide whether additional enforcement or corrective actions are needed. Local school districts and state agencies may take independent steps to limit autonomous vehicle operations near schools while investigations continue.

Similar Articles

Trending