NHTSA investigates 2,000 Waymo self-driving cars over failures to stop for school buses.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched a preliminary investigation into about 2,000 Waymo self-driving vehicles after reports that some failed to stop properly at school buses with flashing lights and extended stop arms. The probe focuses on whether the vehicles comply with traffic laws designed to protect children, following an incident where a driverless Waymo robotaxi passed a stopped bus while students were boarding or exiting. Waymo said it has already updated its software to improve school bus stop responses and plans further changes. The investigation is part of broader federal scrutiny of autonomous vehicle safety, particularly how self-driving systems handle vulnerable road users. Waymo operates over 1,500 robotaxis in major U.S. cities and plans international expansion.