Feds ask Waymo about robotaxis repeatedly passing school buses in Austin

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking further details from Waymo concerning its autonomous vehicle operations. This inquiry follows alarming reports from the Austin School District, which highlighted that Waymo's robotaxis illegally passed stopped school buses 19 times this academic year. In a letter dated December 3, the NHTSA requested comprehensive information about Waymo's fifth-generation self-driving technology. This communication comes two months after the agency initiated an investigation into how Waymo's vehicles behave in proximity to stationary school buses. The initial investigation was prompted by a concerning incident in October, where a Waymo robotaxi was seen navigating around a halted bus in Atlanta, despite the bus's stop sign being visible and its lights flashing as it unloaded children. Waymo defended its actions, stating that the bus was partially obstructing a driveway, which limited the vehicle's visibility of the safety signals. In response to the incident, Waymo implemented a software update aimed at enhancing the performance of its fleet. Despite these measures, reports of Waymo vehicles illegally overtaking school buses have persisted. The Austin School District noted that, since the start of the 2025-26 school year, there have been 19 confirmed instances of such violations, with at least five occurring after the software update on November 17. In a statement, Waymo emphasized its commitment to safety, citing data that suggests its robotaxis have significantly reduced injury-related crashes compared to conventional drivers. They claimed a fivefold decrease in injury incidents and a twelvefold reduction in pedestrian-related injuries. Waymo reiterated its dedication to continual improvements in safety and performance, stating that they will work closely with the NHTSA to uphold road safety standards. However, the Austin School District remains unconvinced, urging Waymo to halt its operations during peak student hours. In a letter sent on November 20, the district expressed concern over the inadequacy of the software updates, stating, "We cannot allow Waymo to continue endangering our students while it attempts to implement a fix." They have requested that the robotaxis refrain from operating between 5:20 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., as well as from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., until more substantial updates are made. Following the district's request, the Office of Defects Investigation reached out to Waymo to inquire whether the company had complied with the halt in operations and whether the recent software fixes had addressed the safety issues raised by the school district. The situation continues to unfold as federal regulators closely monitor Waymo's response to these serious concerns.