Waymo Self-Driving Cars Under NTSB Probe After 20+ Violations Involving School Buses in Austin

On January 25, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced a safety investigation into Waymo's robotaxis following more than 20 incidents in Austin, Texas, where the vehicles illegally passed stopped school buses. Under U.S. traffic regulations, all vehicles must come to a complete stop when a school bus displays flashing red lights and extends its stop arm; overtaking is strictly prohibited. Waymo had previously been investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for similar violations, leading to a software recall. However, the issue has persisted even after the update. The NTSB will issue a preliminary report within 30 days, with the final report expected to be completed within 12 to 24 months. Meanwhile, Waymo is accelerating its expansion, having already launched services or testing in Atlanta, Austin, Silicon Valley, and New York in 2025, with plans to further broaden its coverage in 2026.