Waymo Crash Rates Dropped in Los Angeles
Autonomous vehicle crash rates fell to fewer than six per million miles by 2026.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Car Types
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Waymo crash rates in Los Angeles saw a significant decline, falling from 57 per million miles driven in 2023 to under six in 2026. This downward trend highlights substantial progress in the safety of autonomous vehicle operations.
Why it matters
The reduction in crash rates is attributed to improved autonomous technology, the integration of remote human assistance, and human drivers becoming more accustomed to sharing the road with self-driving cars.
Waymo crash rates plummeted from 57 per million miles in 2023 to under six per million miles in 2026. Data indicates that a majority of the incidents involving these autonomous vehicles occurred while the vehicle was in a stationary position.
The players
Waymo
Waymo is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. that develops autonomous driving technology.
Zoox
Zoox is an Amazon-owned company focused on developing autonomous vehicle transport services.
The details
Vehicles are engineered to automatically stop when encountering technical issues, while remote human operators provide additional oversight to assist the autonomous systems. Meanwhile, Amazon's Zoox continues to test its own autonomous vehicle fleet across the Los Angeles region.
Timeline
In 2023, the Waymo crash rate was recorded at 57 per million miles.
By 2026, the Waymo crash rate had dropped to below six per million miles.
Roadmap
This decline in accidents signals a maturation in the autonomous vehicle industry, moving beyond early testing phases toward safer, more integrated fleet management. It positions companies like Waymo and Amazon's Zoox in an increasingly competitive race to prove long-term safety viability.
As safety performance metrics improve, Los Angeles drivers can expect an increased presence of self-driving vehicles on local roads. Residents should remain aware that these vehicles are designed to trigger stops when encountering issues, which may influence local traffic flow.
The takeaway
The drastic reduction in crashes suggests that autonomous systems are becoming significantly more reliable as they gain real-world experience. Drivers in urban environments should maintain consistent caution when navigating around these vehicles, especially given their tendency to stop when system uncertainties arise.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Car Types.
Source note: This article includes information reported by LAist.
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