Federal investigation launched into Waymo self-driving vehicle crashes

By Yosi Yahoudai
Founder and Managing Partner

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — A federal investigation is being launched into crashes involving Waymo’s self-driving vehicles.

It’s the second investigation this week into robotaxis, just a day after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started a review into Foster City-based self-driving company Zoox.

Now, they are announcing Tuesday morning a probe into Waymo.

Another incident involving a Waymo robotaxi breaking the rules while driving in San Francisco was recorded.

It comes after 22 reports of Waymo vehicles either crashing or doing something that may have violated traffic laws.

In the crashes, the vehicles hit stationary objects like gates, chains or parked vehicles.

Some of the incidents happened right after the Waymo driving system behaved unexpectedly near traffic signs and cones.

The agency said it understands that Waymo’s automated driving system was engaged in each incident.

In some cases involving a test vehicle, a human driver disengaged the system just before an accident happened.

The company said it makes over 50,000 weekly trips with riders.

Waymo is based in Mountain View and has been operating robotaxis without human safety drivers in Arizona and California, including in San Francisco.

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About the Author

Yosi Yahoudai is a founder and the managing partner of J&Y. His practice is comprised primarily of cases involving automobile and motorcycle accidents, but he also represents people in premises liability lawsuits, including suits alleging dangerous conditions of public property, third-party criminal conduct, and intentional torts. He also has expertise in cases involving product defects, dog bites, elder abuse, and sexual assault. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California and is admitted to practice in all California State Courts, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. If you have any questions about this article, you can contact Yosi by clicking here.