NHTSA Opens Investigation Into 2,000 Waymo Vehicles After Self-Driving Car Bypasses School Bus Stop Sign
Summary
NHTSA launches investigation into 2,000 Waymo self-driving cars after one illegally bypassed a stopped school bus with flashing lights while children were getting off in Atlanta, with regulators suspecting similar dangerous incidents have occurred before.
Key Points
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opens investigation into approximately 2,000 Waymo vehicles after one drove around a stopped school bus with extended stop arms and flashing red lights while children were disembarking in Atlanta on September 22
- Federal regulators state that similar incidents involving Waymo's fifth-generation autonomous driving system have probably occurred previously, prompting the preliminary safety investigation
- Law enforcement faces challenges ticketing autonomous vehicles since traffic citations can only be issued to human drivers, though new California legislation taking effect in July aims to address this enforcement gap