Nashville Residents File Complaints About Waymo's New Robotaxis

City agencies, police, and Waymo work to address traffic issues and odd maneuvers as autonomous vehicles roll out.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 6:21am

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration of the sensor array on top of a Waymo autonomous vehicle, with neon cyan and magenta lights illuminating the complex digital components, conceptually representing the advanced technology powering self-driving cars.The introduction of Waymo's autonomous vehicles in Nashville has sparked concerns about public safety and traffic disruptions, underscoring the need for close coordination between technology companies, local government, and the community.Today in Nashville

Waymo's driverless cars have started giving rides in Nashville, and Metro has already logged dozens of complaints through hubNashville about traffic problems and unusual vehicle maneuvers. City officials, law enforcement, and Waymo say they are troubleshooting the issues, while downtown business owners and a local attorney weigh in on safety, insurance coverage, and what this new transportation option means for getting around Broadway.

Why it matters

The introduction of Waymo's autonomous vehicles in Nashville has sparked concerns from residents about public safety and traffic disruptions, highlighting the challenges cities face in adapting to emerging driverless technologies and the need for close coordination between companies, government, and the community.

The details

Since Waymo began offering autonomous rides in Nashville, the city has received dozens of complaints through its hubNashville system about the vehicles' driving behavior, including reports of traffic issues and odd maneuvers. City agencies, the Nashville Police Department, and Waymo representatives say they are working together to troubleshoot the problems. Downtown business owners and a local attorney have also weighed in, discussing concerns about safety, insurance coverage, and the broader implications of self-driving cars on transportation in the city.

  • Waymo's driverless cars started giving rides in Nashville in early 2026.
  • Metro Nashville has logged dozens of complaints about the vehicles through its hubNashville system since their introduction.

The players

Waymo

An autonomous driving company and subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company, that is now operating self-driving vehicles in Nashville.

Metro Nashville

The local government of Nashville, Tennessee, which has received numerous complaints about Waymo's autonomous vehicles through its hubNashville system.

Nashville Police Department

The law enforcement agency working with Waymo and Metro Nashville to address issues related to the deployment of self-driving cars in the city.

Downtown Nashville business owners

Local business leaders who have expressed concerns about the safety and impact of Waymo's autonomous vehicles on transportation in the city's downtown area.

Local attorney

A Nashville-based legal expert who has commented on the insurance and liability implications of self-driving cars in the city.

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What they’re saying

“We must work together to ensure the safe integration of autonomous vehicles in our city and address any issues that arise.”

— Metro Nashville Official

“The introduction of self-driving cars raises important questions about public safety and how this new technology will impact transportation in downtown Nashville.”

— Downtown business owner

What’s next

City officials, Waymo, and the Nashville Police Department will continue to monitor the performance of the autonomous vehicles and work to address any ongoing issues or concerns from residents.

The takeaway

The rollout of Waymo's self-driving cars in Nashville highlights the need for close collaboration between technology companies, local government, and the community to ensure the safe and effective integration of emerging transportation solutions in urban areas.