NHTSA Investigates Waymo Robotaxis Near School Buses
Federal regulators are reviewing reports of autonomous vehicles maneuvering around stopped school buses.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an investigation into Waymo autonomous vehicles following reports of the cars passing stopped school buses. The company plans to issue a voluntary software recall to address the traffic behavior.
Why it matters
Federal regulators are investigating whether these robotaxis demonstrate sufficient caution when children are boarding or exiting school buses. This probe aims to ensure public safety in school zones where strict traffic laws apply.
Waymo currently operates a domestic fleet exceeding 4,000 vehicles and performs over 500,000 rides per week. The company, which achieved a $126 billion valuation, previously recalled 3,900 vehicles in June 2026.
The players
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
This federal agency is responsible for investigating potential safety defects in motor vehicles and issuing recalls to protect the public.
Waymo
This autonomous driving technology company operates robotaxi services across numerous U.S. cities and is a major player in the self-driving industry.
The details
The Office of Defects Investigation is analyzing footage of autonomous vehicles maneuvering around stopped, unloading school buses in cities like Atlanta. This scrutiny follows a series of 20 traffic citations in Austin and a separate incident in January 2026 where a Waymo vehicle struck a child in Santa Monica.
Timeline
In January 2026, a Waymo vehicle struck a child in Santa Monica.
Waymo closed a $16 billion funding round in February 2026.
A recall of 3,900 robotaxis occurred in June 2026.
The Waymo fleet surpassed 4,000 vehicles in September 2026.
The NHTSA opened the school bus investigation in October 2026.
Roadmap
This investigation reflects the growing regulatory oversight facing autonomous driving fleets as they scale to larger, urban environments. The action follows the precedent of federal intervention set by the company's previous recall regarding construction zone failures.
Drivers and pedestrians in cities where Waymo operates may see changes in how autonomous vehicles interact with school zones following the software recall. While the software updates aim to increase safety, commuters should remain alert to the unpredictable maneuvers of autonomous cars.
The takeaway
Autonomous vehicle developers must balance aggressive expansion goals with the strict safety requirements of diverse urban traffic environments. Enhanced software precision in school zones is now a critical milestone for companies seeking to scale their robotaxi operations.
Further reading
For more on the industry, visit the Electric Vehicles section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Startup Fortune.
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