Waymo Vehicle Drives Wrong Way in Cambridge School Zone

Incident raises concerns about autonomous car safety near schools

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:10am

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D macro illustration of a Waymo autonomous vehicle's sensor array, with neon cyan and magenta lights illuminating the complex digital infrastructure that powers its navigation, conceptually representing the technological complexities of self-driving cars in sensitive areas.Autonomous vehicle technology faces ongoing challenges in navigating the unpredictable environments of school zones, raising safety concerns for parents and residents.San Antonio Today

A Waymo self-driving vehicle was spotted driving the wrong way this week during a designated one-way drop-off period in the school zone near Cambridge Elementary School in San Antonio, Texas, prompting concerns from parents and residents about the technology's ability to navigate school traffic patterns safely. Police tried to help reconfigure the vehicle's navigation, but the effort led to more confusion and traffic.

Why it matters

This incident is the latest in a series of problems involving Waymo vehicles in other parts of the country, raising broader questions about the safety of autonomous vehicles, especially in sensitive areas like school zones where predictable traffic patterns and human decision-making are critical.

The details

The Waymo vehicle was driving the wrong way during a designated one-way drop-off period, leading to more confusion and traffic. Police tried to help reconfigure the vehicle's navigation, but were unsuccessful. Parents and residents expressed concerns about the technology's ability to safely navigate school zones, citing previous incidents involving Waymo vehicles in other parts of the country.

  • The incident occurred this week near Cambridge Elementary School in San Antonio, Texas.

The players

Waymo

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

Dan Aranda

A parent of a Cambridge Elementary student who expressed concerns about the Waymo vehicle's ability to navigate the school zone.

Alamo Heights ISD

The school district that contacted Waymo about the incident and requested adjustments to their operations during drop-off and pick-up times.

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What they’re saying

“I thought clearly the technology is not smart enough to read the signs that are, you know, very clearly posted.”

— Dan Aranda, Parent of Cambridge Elementary student

“I think school zones is one of those areas that should be off limits for Waymo.”

— Unnamed resident

What’s next

Alamo Heights ISD said they have contacted Waymo about 'geofencing during drop off and pick up times' to address the issue, and Waymo has made adjustments to their operations. However, some residents remain uneasy about the safety of autonomous vehicles in school zones.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges autonomous vehicle technology faces in navigating complex and unpredictable environments like school zones, where human decision-making and predictable traffic patterns are critical. It raises broader questions about the readiness of self-driving cars to operate safely in sensitive areas and the need for further development and testing before widespread deployment.