The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a comprehensive investigation into over 3,000 Waymo autonomous vehicles. This significant move by the regulatory body comes after a Waymo driverless car was involved in an incident where it struck a child near an elementary school. The increasing scrutiny on autonomous vehicle safety underscores the ongoing challenges and concerns surrounding the deployment of this cutting-edge technology on public roads.
NHTSA Launches Investigation into Waymo Autonomous Vehicles After Child Incident
On January 28, 2026, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) officially commenced an investigation into 3,067 Waymo autonomous vehicles. This probe was triggered by an incident that occurred on January 23, 2026, in Santa Monica, California. A Waymo vehicle, equipped with the company's fifth-generation autonomous driving system, struck a child near an elementary school. According to the NHTSA report, the child reportedly ran across the street from behind a double-parked SUV and sustained minor injuries. Notably, there was no human safety operator present in the autonomous vehicle at the time of the incident.
This investigation follows a separate incident involving a Waymo "Ojai" Robotaxi, developed in collaboration with Chinese automaker Zeekr. This vehicle crashed into multiple parked cars in Los Angeles during testing, although a safety operator was on board during that event. These incidents collectively raise pertinent questions regarding the safety protocols and reliability of Waymo's autonomous driving technology, especially as the company seeks a substantial $16 billion funding round, potentially pushing its valuation past $100 billion. Industry observers, including investor Gary Black, have voiced concerns about the broader implications of such safety investigations on the autonomous vehicle sector, impacting companies like Tesla Inc. as they continue to refine their self-driving capabilities.
The increasing frequency of incidents involving autonomous vehicles highlights the critical need for robust safety measures and rigorous testing before widespread adoption. While the potential benefits of autonomous technology, such as reduced human error and increased efficiency, are vast, the safety of pedestrians and other road users must remain paramount. This investigation will likely lead to enhanced regulatory oversight and a deeper examination of the algorithms and operational parameters governing driverless cars, shaping the future trajectory of the autonomous vehicle industry.