The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a new investigation into nearly 3,000 autonomous vehicles operated by Waymo following repeated incidents in which the company’s robotaxis passed stopped school buses displaying flashing red warning lights.
The investigation will examine why a software update deployed by Waymo in late 2025 failed to prevent the violations. Although the Alphabet-owned company announced in November that it had installed a corrective update across affected vehicles, most of the reported incidents occurred after the software change.
NHTSA Reviews Waymo Software Update
The regulator has classified the latest action as a recall query, a process used to assess whether a manufacturer needs to take further corrective measures.
The investigation follows a preliminary probe launched in October 2025 into Waymo’s handling of stopped school buses. NHTSA has now concluded that initial investigation and moved the matter into a new review focused on the effectiveness of the software update.
In Austin, Texas, authorities documented 19 incidents involving Waymo vehicles passing stopped school buses. The company received fines of US$300 for each violation. At least six additional incidents were recorded in Atlanta.
The repeated violations raised questions about whether Waymo’s autonomous driving software could consistently recognise school bus signals and respond appropriately to traffic regulations.
Waymo Says School Bus Performance Has Improved
Waymo said the behaviour of its vehicles around school buses had improved since March and that no further fines had been issued.
However, the company’s response comes amid continued regulatory scrutiny of its autonomous vehicle operations. The latest investigation will assess whether the software changes introduced in 2025 adequately addressed the underlying safety issue.
The incidents are particularly significant because school buses operate under specific traffic rules designed to protect children boarding or leaving vehicles. Autonomous vehicles must recognise these situations and stop when required.
Separate Investigation Follows Child Collision in California
Waymo is also facing scrutiny over a separate incident near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California, on January 23, 2026, when one of its robotaxis collided with a child.
Both NHTSA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched separate investigations into the collision.
The two cases have intensified questions about the ability of autonomous driving systems to respond safely in complex environments involving pedestrians, children and other vulnerable road users.
Autonomous Vehicle Safety Under Greater Scrutiny
The latest incidents have renewed debate over the safety claims made by autonomous vehicle developers. While Waymo has highlighted positive safety performance statistics, critics argue that its vehicles have largely operated within defined service areas supported by detailed mapping and operating restrictions.
These conditions can differ significantly from the unpredictable situations encountered across broader road networks.
The investigations highlight the challenges facing autonomous vehicle companies as they expand commercial robotaxi services. Beyond demonstrating that vehicles can operate without human drivers, developers must show that their systems can reliably comply with traffic laws and respond appropriately to unexpected hazards.