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Federal Regulators Expand Probe Into Waymo Robotaxis Passing School Buses

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Dec 9, 2025

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Federal highway safety regulators are expanding an investigation into Waymo’s autonomous vehicles following reports of the cars illegally passing stopped school buses. In a letter dated Dec. 3, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated it will investigate the performance of the self-driving cars and their ability to comply with traffic safety laws. The action expands an initial probe launched in October after a Waymo vehicle in Atlanta, Georgia, reportedly drove around a stopped school bus that had its flashing lights and stop arm activated.

In Austin, Texas, the local school district reported it is aware of 20 incidents this school year where a Waymo vehicle illegally passed a school bus. According to a district communications specialist, the 20th citation for such an incident was issued on Dec. 1, which was after the company said it had addressed the issue. The specialist also said the district sent a letter on Nov. 20 requesting Waymo to pause operations during school bus loading and unloading hours, a request the company reportedly refused. In Atlanta, the local school district is aware of six similar cases, according to one summary.

In response, Waymo’s chief safety officer, Mauricio Peña, stated that the company had identified a software issue and implemented updates by Nov. 17. Peña said Waymo plans to issue a voluntary software recall with the NHTSA. A company spokesperson also pointed to Waymo's overall safety record, claiming a fivefold reduction in injury-related crashes compared to human-driven vehicles.

According to the NHTSA, laws in all 50 U.S. states require vehicles to stop for a school bus that is stopped with its flashing red lights and stop-arm signal deployed. Waymo, an Alphabet-owned company, operates its driverless ride service in several U.S. cities, including Austin, Atlanta, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

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• The company has identified and addressed a specific software problem. According to Waymo's chief safety officer, Mauricio Peña, the company found a software issue responsible for the incidents. Peña stated that updates were implemented by November 17, and the company intends to issue a voluntary software recall with the NHTSA.

• Waymo points to its overall safety record as being superior to human drivers. A company spokesperson highlighted Waymo's broader safety performance. They claimed that the autonomous vehicles have a fivefold reduction in injury-related crashes when compared to vehicles driven by humans.

• The company has continued operations despite requests to pause service. The Austin school district sent a letter on November 20 asking Waymo to suspend its driverless ride service during school bus loading and unloading hours. A district specialist reported that the company refused this request to pause operations.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• Children in cities with Waymo service may face a safety risk, as the robotaxis have repeatedly passed stopped school buses in violation of traffic laws.

• The federal investigation could lead to service restrictions or suspensions for Waymo, affecting users of the autonomous ride-hailing service in several major U.S. cities.

• This probe may result in stricter federal safety regulations for all autonomous vehicles, potentially influencing the timeline for their deployment in other parts of the country.

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