NHTSA probes Waymo self-driving car hitting 9-year-old in Santa Monica
Waymo's self-driving car hit a nine-year-old girl who had stepped into the street in Santa Monica back in January 2026. Thankfully, her injuries were minor, and she didn't need an ambulance.
Now, US safety officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are looking into what happened, especially how Waymo's robotaxis handle school zones and around schools.
Waymo handed over its answers, but the details were kept secret because of "confidential business information."
NTSB: car slowed to 9.66km/h
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also investigating and says the car slowed from 27km/h to 9.66km/h before the accident.
Both probes are still ongoing.
This case is putting a spotlight on whether self-driving cars are ready for real-life situations, especially near schools, and could shape future rules for autonomous vehicles in the US.