Waymo probed by National Transportation Safety Board over illegal school bus behavior

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated an investigation into Waymo's robotaxis for illegally passing stopped school buses in Austin, Texas. This investigation follows a preliminary evaluation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which examined how Waymo vehicles respond to school buses that are stopped for loading and unloading students. The NTSB's inquiry will specifically focus on the interactions between Waymo vehicles and these school buses, as confirmed by an agency spokesperson. The investigation is a response to concerns raised after Waymo's voluntary software recall in December, which was prompted by issues regarding the robotaxis' behavior around stopped school buses. Despite the software update, the Austin Independent School District reported that Waymo vehicles continued to commit the same offense shortly after the update was implemented. This situation has raised further concerns about the effectiveness of the changes made to the robotaxi's software. As part of the NTSB investigation, agency investigators will travel to Austin to gather information on a series of incidents where Waymo's automated vehicles failed to stop for loading or unloading students. The NTSB aims to determine the underlying reasons for these violations and ensure compliance with traffic safety regulations. This investigation underscores the ongoing scrutiny of autonomous vehicle operations and their adherence to traffic laws, particularly in sensitive areas such as school zones. The NTSB's investigation highlights the importance of safety in the deployment of autonomous vehicles, especially in environments where the safety of children is a primary concern. The agency's findings may have implications for Waymo's operations and the broader autonomous vehicle industry as it navigates regulatory challenges and public safety expectations.