The National Association of Energy Service Companies has announced on its website that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation has initiated a federal probe into Waymo’s autonomous vehicle behavior near stopped school buses. This investigation raises public safety concerns as Waymo prepares to expand its ride-hailing services in Miami.
According to the NHTSA, the Office of Defects Investigation launched a Preliminary Evaluation after receiving a media report indicating that a Waymo autonomous vehicle failed to remain stopped for a school bus displaying red lights and a fully deployed stop arm and crossing control arm. The report states that the Waymo vehicle initially stopped but then maneuvered around the bus, passing near disembarking students. This incident has raised significant safety concerns regarding compliance with school bus traffic laws. The NHTSA says that the investigation will determine how Waymo’s fifth-generation Automated Driving System recognizes and responds to school bus stop signals and whether similar incidents have occurred in its operational history.
Reuters reports that U.S. regulators are investigating thousands of Waymo robotaxis following the reported school bus incident, which could reveal broader performance issues across the company’s growing automated fleet. The report notes that Waymo’s vehicles have logged more than 100 million miles since July 2025 and add approximately two million miles every week, highlighting the vast operational scope under review. Reuters added that the agency considers the likelihood of additional similar events “high,” underscoring potential implications for public safety and federal oversight of autonomous vehicle deployment.
Waymo, according to its official company blog, has announced its next phase of expansion, with Miami listed among forthcoming service areas for its Waymo One autonomous ride-hailing program. The company emphasized that this expansion follows “rigorous safety testing and public engagement” as it scales operations in urban centers, citing experience from markets such as Washington, D.C. However, this announcement has generated renewed scrutiny from local officials and parents concerned about safety near schools, particularly given the ongoing ODI investigation into school bus compliance.
According to its official website, the National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO) is a national trade association representing firms delivering energy efficiency, infrastructure modernization, and renewable energy solutions through performance contracting. NAESCO provides advocacy, education, and accreditation to advance sustainable energy practices and ensure regulatory and operational best practices across public and private sectors. The organization regularly monitors federal investigations, transportation policies, and technological advancements affecting safety and infrastructure readiness in U.S. energy and mobility systems.
