NHTSA Investigates Alphabet's Waymo After 22 Incidents Involving 444 Vehicles and 17 Collisions

May 14, 2024, 12:55 PM

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Alphabet's Waymo following numerous reports of incidents involving its self-driving vehicles. The probe, covering an estimated 444 vehicles, was initiated after 22 reports of unexpected behavior, including 17 collisions. The incidents involved Waymo's robotaxis entering construction sites, blocking traffic, or driving in the wrong lane. The NHTSA posted documents detailing the investigation on its website, highlighting concerns over the autonomous driving system's performance. Initial evaluations confirmed that Waymo's autonomous driving system was either engaged during each incident or disengaged moments before the incident. US auto safety regulators are particularly concerned about potential traffic law violations.