US Investigates After Waymo's Self-Driving Car Hits Child Near School, Causing Minor Injuries

• The Waymo vehicle reduced speed from approximately 17 mph to under 6 mph before impact, while Waymo's modeling suggests a human driver would have made contact at 14 mph
• NHTSA will investigate Waymo's behavior in school zones, adherence to speed limits during pick-up/drop-off times, and post-impact response protocols
• This follows a separate NTSB investigation into Waymo robotaxis illegally passing stopped school buses in Austin, Texas at least 19 times since the school year began, despite a December software recall addressing the issue

Summary: NHTSA Investigates Waymo Self-Driving Car After Collision with Child Near School

Key Incident Details:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation on January 29 after a Waymo autonomous vehicle struck a child near a Santa Monica, California elementary school on January 23, 2026. The child sustained minor injuries after running from behind a double-parked SUV during school drop-off hours.

Companies Involved:

Waymo (Alphabet subsidiary) is the primary company under scrutiny.

Technical Details:

• Waymo's vehicle reduced speed from approximately 17 mph to under 6 mph before impact
• The autonomous system detected the child immediately upon emergence from behind the SUV
• Waymo claims a fully attentive human driver would have made contact at approximately 14 mph
• The child stood up immediately after impact and walked to the sidewalk

Investigation Scope:

NHTSA will examine Waymo's behavior in school zones, adherence to speed limits during pick-up/drop-off times, and post-impact response protocols. The investigation aims to determine whether the AV exercised appropriate caution given the proximity to vulnerable road users.

Additional Concerns:

The National Transportation Safety Board is separately investigating Waymo after its robotaxis illegally passed stopped school buses at least 19 times in Austin, Texas since the school year began. Waymo recalled over 3,000 vehicles in December to fix software causing these violations. The Austin Independent School District requested Waymo halt operations near schools during critical hours, but the company refused.

Market Implications:

These incidents raise regulatory and safety concerns for autonomous vehicle deployment, potentially impacting Waymo's expansion plans and the broader self-driving industry's regulatory environment.