The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating whether Waymo's software recall effectively addressed issues with its autonomous vehicles passing stopped school buses. Despite a fix implemented in November, incidents reportedly continued after the recall, raising concerns about safety compliance.
Waymo claims to have improved vehicle behavior around school buses and has not faced citations since March. However, the ongoing investigation could lead to significant penalties for the company if the software is found inadequate.
As the NHTSA investigation unfolds, stakeholders should monitor Waymo's compliance efforts and any potential penalties. The outcome may influence regulatory standards for AV software and impact public trust in autonomous technology, especially in school zones.