A recent incident involving a Waymo driverless vehicle has raised questions about public safety and confidence in autonomous technology. On March 17, 2024, at approximately 3:40 a.m., a Waymo robotaxi entered a police checkpoint on Broadway and First Street in Los Angeles, disregarding instructions from officers to turn left. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, as confirmed by both Waymo and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
According to eyewitness accounts and video footage, the unmanned vehicle approached the scene while law enforcement was restraining a suspect. Instead of following the officer’s command, the Waymo vehicle made a right turn, prompting police to approach with their weapons drawn. Upon realizing the vehicle was driverless, they ensured that the situation remained under control. The intersection was temporarily closed, following standard procedures for such incidents.
Waymo has stated that its vehicles stopped for over 15 seconds during the encounter. In response to the event, a company spokesperson emphasized, “Safety is our top priority at Waymo, both for those who choose to travel with us and for those with whom we share the streets. When we encounter unusual events like this, we learn from them to continue improving road safety and operating in dynamic cities.”
This incident is not an isolated case for Waymo, which launched its public service in November 2024. The company, part of Alphabet, has faced scrutiny over multiple occurrences involving its autonomous vehicles. In July 2024, Waymo reported that its self-driving cars had traveled over 160 million kilometers without fatalities. Yet, the company has remained in the headlines for less favorable reasons, including a series of high-profile incidents that have impacted public perception.
Previous Incidents and Future Expansion
In June 2024, a user allegedly directed 50 Waymo vehicles down a dead-end street in San Francisco as a prank, which gained significant media attention. Another notable incident occurred in Los Angeles, where five Waymo vehicles were set ablaze by anti-ICE protesters. Additionally, in September, a self-driving car made an illegal turn in front of police during a DUI checkpoint operation. Despite these challenges, Waymo is actively expanding its services, with plans to operate in cities such as Miami, Orlando, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Detroit.
The Los Angeles Police Department’s Traffic Coordination Division is in regular contact with Waymo, working to ensure that protocols for driverless vehicles are updated and effective. As autonomous technology continues to develop, incidents like this one highlight the importance of rigorous safety measures and communication between companies and law enforcement.
Moving forward, Waymo must address these safety concerns to restore public confidence as it expands its operations in urban areas. With the promise of autonomous vehicles hanging in the balance, the company faces the challenge of proving that its technology can operate safely and reliably alongside human drivers.
