- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Waymo Self-Driving Car Hits Child Near Elementary School
Incident prompts investigation by NHTSA into Waymo's safety protocols and response
Jan. 29, 2026 at 9:55pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A Waymo self-driving car struck a child walking to school during morning drop-off in Santa Monica, California. The child suffered minor injuries, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an investigation into the incident, including examining Waymo's vehicle behavior in school zones and the company's post-accident response.
Why it matters
This incident raises concerns about the safety of autonomous vehicles operating in high-traffic areas near schools, where pedestrians, especially children, are common. It also highlights the need for rigorous testing and oversight of self-driving technology to ensure it can safely navigate complex urban environments.
The details
According to Waymo, the incident occurred when the child 'suddenly entered the roadway from behind a tall SUV, moving directly into our vehicle's path.' The Waymo vehicle was traveling at around 17 mph and was able to slow to under 6 mph before making contact with the child. The NHTSA investigation will examine Waymo's adherence to speed limits and safety protocols in school zones.
- The incident occurred on January 23, 2026 near Grant Elementary School in Santa Monica, California during normal school drop-off hours.
- Waymo voluntarily reported the incident to the NHTSA on the same day it occurred.
The players
Waymo
An autonomous driving technology company and subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
The U.S. government agency responsible for vehicle safety standards and the investigation of vehicle-related accidents and defects.
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
The public school district serving the cities of Santa Monica and Malibu, California.
What they’re saying
“The event occurred when the pedestrian suddenly entered the roadway from behind a tall SUV, moving directly into our vehicle's path. Our technology immediately detected the individual as soon as they began to emerge from behind the stopped vehicle.”
— Waymo (people.com)
“The health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and the District is reinforcing traffic and pedestrian safety and safe routes to school at all campuses.”
— Brandyi Phillips, Spokeswoman, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (Washington Post)
What’s next
The NHTSA investigation will look into Waymo's vehicle behavior in school zones, adherence to speed limits, and the company's post-accident response. The findings could lead to changes in Waymo's safety protocols or regulations governing autonomous vehicles near schools.
The takeaway
This incident underscores the challenges autonomous vehicle companies face in safely navigating complex urban environments, especially in high-traffic areas near schools. It highlights the need for rigorous testing, oversight, and transparency to build public trust in self-driving technology.
