Waymo NTSB school bus investigation: Robotaxis Face Safety Probe After Failures

The promise of a safer driver is facing its toughest test yet. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has opened an investigation into Waymo after its robotaxis were spotted illegally passing stopped school buses numerous times. According to a post on X by the agency on January 23, 2026, investigators are focusing on more than 20 incidents specifically in Austin, Texas.

Waymo NTSB school bus investigation: The Software Gap

It's the first time Waymo has been investigated by the NTSB, though it's already under the microscope of the NHTSA for similar issues. The core problem lies in the vehicle's failure to stop for loading or unloading students—a fundamental traffic law. Despite a software recall in December, reports of violations haven't stopped. In Austin, the school district has even asked the company to suspend operations during pickup and drop-off times to ensure student safety.

Expansion vs. Accountability

The probe comes at a sensitive time for Waymo. Just this week, the company expanded its robotaxi service to Miami, adding to its growing footprint in cities like Atlanta and Los Angeles. While Waymo's Chief Safety Officer, Mauricio Peña, claims their performance is "superior to human drivers," the persistent nature of these violations suggests a stubborn technical hurdle in identifying school bus signals across different environments.