Public concern over autonomous vehicles is rising again, and traffic-safety advocate Amy Witherite is adding her voice to the growing alarm. Recent local reports from Austin highlight that Waymo’s driverless cars are still failing to stop for school buses, even after a software recall intended to address the issue. These incidents are raising serious questions about whether autonomous vehicle companies are moving faster than the safety standards needed to protect families, students, and communities.
Residents and safety advocates alike are calling these violations exactly what they are: dangerous, unacceptable, and a threat to children. School bus laws exist for a reason. When a bus is stopped and children are getting on or off, every vehicle on the road must respond correctly and consistently. There is no room for uncertainty, delay, or repeated system failure in these moments.
In a published response, Witherite underscores that this is not a minor glitch but a fundamental safety breakdown. She argues that until Waymo can prove its vehicles consistently follow Texas school bus laws, operations around student pickup and drop-off should be halted. Public roads should not become testing grounds when children’s safety is at stake.
Read the full article to see why parents, educators, and safety experts like Amy Witherite say the risks are too great to ignore, and why stronger accountability is needed before driverless vehicles continue expanding near schools and neighborhoods.
