Federal regulators are scrutinizing Waymo after one of the company’s autonomous vehicles struck a child near a Santa Monica elementary school, triggering fresh questions about safety as self‑driving cars become increasingly common on California streets.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration disclosed on Jan. 29 that it has opened a preliminary investigation into Waymo after the company reported that one of its driverless vehicles hit a child during the morning drop‑off rush on Jan. 23. The incident happened within two blocks of an elementary school, in a congested corridor filled with kids, parents, double‑parked cars and a crossing guard, according to federal documents.
Waymo told regulators the child suffered minor injuries. No human safety operator was inside the vehicle at the time.
What are regulators looking for in their Waymo probe?
NHTSA said its defect office opened the new probe “to investigate whether the Waymo AV exercised appropriate caution given, among other things, its proximity to the elementary school during drop off hours, and the presence of young pedestrians and other potential vulnerable road users.”
The ODI office said it “expects that its investigation will examine the ADS’s intended behavior in school zones and neighboring areas, especially during normal school pick up/drop off times, including but not limited to its adherence to posted speed limits.” ODI said it will also investigate Waymo’s response after the incident.
Waymo said in a statement it is “committed to improving road safety, both for our riders and all those with whom we share the road.” The company said it voluntarily contacted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the same day as the crash and plans to cooperate with the federal probe.
Are Waymo’s self-driving cars safe?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identifies six levels of autonomous driving.
Waymos are categorized on NHTSA’s six-point autonomy scale as Level 4 vehicles, which are considered highly autonomous. The agency says of Level 4 systems: “When engaged, the system handles all driving tasks while you, now the passenger, are not needed to maneuver the vehicle. The system can only operate the vehicle in limited service areas, not universally. A human driver is not needed to operate the vehicle.”
NHTSA is careful to note that cars with Level 4 technology are not available for consumers to purchase, but they are used by ride-hailing services in several U.S. cities.
The agency previously opened a preliminary evaluation of Waymo’s self-driving cars in May 2024 after receiving reports that the company’s vehicles crashed into objects, including gates, chains and parked cars. The agency also cited instances in which the company’s automated-driving system appeared to disobey traffic-control devices. The investigation was later closed by regulators in July 2025.
What do safety groups say about Waymo’s safety record?
Michael Brooks, executive director of the Washington-based Center for Auto Safety, which advocates for stringent car regulations, said “Waymo has also struggled to correct recent safety failures involving school buses, and continues to ignore local requests to cease operations in the presence of school buses.”
“A child running into the path of a vehicle presents an incredibly dangerous scenario requiring an immediate response from approaching drivers, whether human or computer,” Brooks said.
Brooks said he thinks it is important for NHTSA to look into the incident to”determine if there were cues potentially missed by the Waymo vehicle that a human driver would have used to avoid a collision.”
“If AV companies continue to resist state and local governance, additional federal enforcement and oversight is going to be necessary to promote safe autonomous operations,” he said.
Where Waymo operates in California
Despite setbacks, Waymo’s footprint in California is significant:
Waymo facing setbacks across California
Waymo’s troubles this week go well beyond the Santa Monica investigation. In San Francisco, a massive power outage in December left dozens of the company’s robotaxis stalled at darkened intersections, hazard lights blinking as traffic jammed around them. The gridlock forced Waymo to pause service citywide, drawing ridicule online — including from Elon Musk, who claimed Tesla’s self‑driving cars continued operating without issue.
The outage followed a string of Bay Area controversies, including an incident earlier in which a Waymo vehicle ran over a neighborhood cat, fueling community pushback.
Farther south, Waymo is now battling the city of Santa Monica in court after officials ordered the company to stop overnight charging at two facilities due to noise and constant activity disrupting nearby homes. Residents frustrated by the around‑the‑clock operations have resorted to blocking driveways and “stacking” cones on vehicles, prompting multiple police responses.
Together, the outages, legal fights and community complaints have intensified scrutiny on Waymo at a moment when regulators are already examining its safety practices.
In Spite of setbacks, Waymo cleared to expand
Despite the recent gridlock in San Francisco and legal battles in Santa Monica, Waymo’s California ambitions remain intact. The California Department of Motor Vehicles has approved Waymo for driverless testing and deployment across multiple regions in the state. According to DMV records, Waymo’s operational footprint includes:
This approval underscores regulators’ confidence in autonomous technology—even as recent incidents raise questions about readiness during emergencies. Waymo says it will use lessons from the outage and lawsuit to “strengthen resilience under even the most challenging conditions.”
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Waymo under scrutiny after Santa Monica child hit amid statewide woes
Reporting by Keith Laing and James Ward, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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