A Waymo self-driving vehicle was involved in an incident where it struck a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica during the busy drop-off period last week. According to both the company and federal regulators, the accident occurred on January 23 when the child unexpectedly ran into the street from behind a double-parked SUV. Waymo reported that its vehicle detected the child and engaged its brakes, reducing its speed to just 6 mph before the collision.
Fortunately, the child was able to walk to the sidewalk after the incident, and Waymo promptly called emergency services. Local fire and police departments responded quickly, with officials confirming that the student did not sustain serious injuries. Brandyi Phillips, a spokeswoman for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, emphasized the district’s commitment to student safety in an email, mentioning that they are reinforcing traffic and pedestrian safety measures at all their campuses.
The recent incident has raised questions surrounding the safety of autonomous vehicles as Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, moves forward with deploying robotic taxis across several cities. The company has significantly expanded its operations, offering around 15 million rides last year. Despite concerns, Waymo claims that its data indicates a reduction in injury-causing accidents by 81 percent, though the total miles driven by its vehicles still remain lower than those driven by humans.
While autonomous vehicles do face challenges in recognizing visual cues that human drivers instinctively notice, they possess advantages such as enhanced sensor technology and computing capabilities. In the scenario in Santa Monica, Waymo suggested that a traditional driver might have acted with less caution, potentially resulting in a more severe outcome.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that it will investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision, specifically assessing whether the vehicle operated with the necessary caution, particularly given its location near an elementary school during drop-off hours. Waymo has expressed its willingness to cooperate with the investigation, as the scrutiny over autonomous vehicle safety intensifies nationwide.
This incident underscores the ongoing dialogue about the future of transportation and the safety implications of incorporating autonomous technology into everyday life, bringing attention to both the advancements and challenges faced by companies in this rapidly evolving field.