The National Association of Energy Service Companies announced on its website that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation has initiated a federal probe into Waymo's autonomous vehicle performance near stopped school buses. This development raises safety concerns as the company seeks to expand its ride-hailing services in Miami.
NHTSA said that its Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation following a media report describing an incident involving a Waymo robotaxi. The vehicle reportedly did not remain stopped for a school bus displaying red flashing lights, an extended stop arm, and a crossing control arm. Operating without a safety driver and using Waymo’s fifth-generation automated driving system (ADS), the vehicle allegedly maneuvered around the bus while students were disembarking, raising serious safety and legal concerns. ODI will assess how the ADS detects and responds to school-bus stop signals, whether this event indicates a broader systemic issue, and Waymo’s compliance with federal traffic-safety rules.
According to Reuters, the NHTSA investigation encompasses approximately 2,000 Waymo robotaxis operating across multiple states. Regulators are focusing on how these vehicles respond to stopped school buses and pedestrian environments. The report highlighted that Waymo’s driverless fleet surpassed 100 million autonomous miles in July 2025 and is now logging roughly two million miles per week, making it one of the largest active autonomous vehicle networks globally. Reuters also noted that as Waymo’s expansion accelerates, U.S. officials are increasing oversight amid community concerns, particularly in cities like Miami where parents fear safety risks near schools and child pickup areas.
Waymo's official blog announced plans in March 2025 to expand its Waymo One ride-hailing service into Washington, D.C., and Miami, Florida, as part of its national rollout. The post emphasized that Waymo’s expansion is based on over a decade of research and data, claiming that safety "remains the foundation of everything we do" as the company collaborates with local governments and communities. However, following the NHTSA investigation, local leaders in Miami have called for a review of autonomous vehicle operating guidelines before fully driverless vehicles are permitted on public roads near schools. They cite the importance of maintaining public confidence during deployment.
According to its official website, the National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO) is the leading U.S. trade association representing firms delivering energy-efficiency solutions through performance contracting. NAESCO provides advocacy, education, and technical resources to help members navigate evolving energy policies and technological developments while monitoring automation's intersection with electrification and mobility to ensure safe implementation.