The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Waymo after reports of its autonomous vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses in Austin, Texas. The federal regulator requested detailed information on Waymo’s fifth-generation self-driving system and expressed concern about unexpected or unsafe behavior near school buses.
The probe follows an earlier October investigation after a Waymo vehicle drove past a stationary school bus in Georgia with red lights flashing and stop arms deployed. Despite software updates intended to address the issue, the Austin Independent School District reported 19 separate incidents since the start of the school year, including at least five after Waymo said it had fixed the problem. The district requested Waymo halt operations during school pick-up and drop-off, but the company reportedly declined.
The NHTSA has asked Waymo to confirm whether operations have ceased during these times and whether a software fix has been implemented. This inquiry adds to previous regulatory scrutiny in 2024 over erratic driving incidents, as Waymo continues to expand plans to launch in over 20 U.S. cities.
A Waymo spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.
