Federal safety regulators have launched an investigation into Waymo after one of its autonomous vehicles was caught driving around a stopped school bus with flashing red lights in Atlanta, Georgia.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed that its Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is examining how Waymo’s self-driving software handles situations involving school buses. Regulators noted that similar incidents could be common based on early findings.
Footage showed the Waymo vehicle crossing in front of the school bus and turning left as the bus unloaded children. Waymo claims the bus partially blocked the robotaxi’s view of its flashing lights and stop sign, preventing the system from recognizing the situation.
“Safety is our top priority,” Waymo said, emphasizing that its vehicles are statistically safer than human drivers. The company added that it has already issued software updates to improve performance.
This marks another regulatory challenge for Waymo. Earlier investigations by NHTSA have examined how the company’s cars handled road barriers and construction zones, leading to a software recall in May.
Related: Waymo plans to Launch Robotaxi Service in London by 2026
Despite these hurdles, 2025 has been a year of expansion for the Alphabet-owned company, with launches in Atlanta, Austin, and Silicon Valley, plus testing at major airports. However, the recent school bus incident underscores the ongoing scrutiny surrounding autonomous vehicle safety as Waymo’s fleet continues to grow across U.S. cities.
