Waymo Car Narrowly Avoids Train Collision in Austin

Incident raises concerns about the safety of autonomous vehicle technology

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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A Waymo self-driving car in Austin, Texas was caught on video barely avoiding a collision with an oncoming train, sparking renewed questions about the safety and reliability of autonomous vehicle technology.

Why it matters

Incidents like this continue to stack up for Waymo and other self-driving car companies, fueling public skepticism about the readiness of this technology to be deployed on public roads. While autonomous vehicles hold promise, these types of close calls raise real concerns about their ability to handle unexpected situations and protect passenger safety.

The details

The Waymo vehicle was captured on video narrowly missing the train as it attempted to cross the tracks. This is just the latest in a series of high-profile incidents involving Waymo's self-driving cars, including one in Los Angeles where a vehicle circled the airport and wouldn't let passengers out, and another that wandered into an empty field.

  • The incident occurred on March 10, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

The players

Waymo

An autonomous driving company and subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.

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What they’re saying

“Until these cars from Waymo can handle the unexpected without putting people at risk, I am staying out of the backseat.”

— Freddy Rivera (kolafm.com)

What’s next

Waymo has not yet commented publicly on this latest incident, but it is likely to face increased scrutiny from regulators and the public as it works to address safety concerns with its autonomous vehicle technology.

The takeaway

This close call in Austin is the latest example highlighting the need for self-driving car companies to prioritize safety and reliability as they work to bring this transformative technology to market. Public trust remains a major hurdle that must be overcome.