A Waymo self-driving vehicle struck and injured a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica on January 23. According to the Alphabet-owned company, the child sustained minor injuries. Waymo stated its vehicle detected the pedestrian as they emerged from behind a parked SUV, braking heavily and reducing its speed from about 17 mph to under 6 mph before making contact.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on January 29 that it has opened a preliminary evaluation into the incident. The agency will investigate whether the autonomous vehicle exercised appropriate caution in a school zone during drop-off hours and will also examine Waymo's post-impact response. Waymo has stated it will cooperate with the investigation.