When a driverless Waymo vehicle passed a stopped school bus in metro Atlanta this fall, many Georgia parents felt an immediate sense of alarm, and federal safety regulators took notice. Reporting of the incident was provided on 11Alive, showing the autonomous taxi initially stopping behind the bus before steering across the centerline and continuing past it, despite the bus’s flashing red lights, extended stop arm, and children preparing to cross the street.
Thankfully, no one was injured. But the incident triggered a nationwide investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is now reviewing roughly 2,000 Waymo vehicles to determine whether this behavior reflects a broader pattern in the company’s automated driving system.
School Bus Safety and Autonomous Vehicles
School bus safety laws in Georgia are clear: drivers must stop when a bus is loading or unloading children and displaying its red lights, even if approaching from the opposite direction on most road types. Violating this rule isn’t a minor infraction. It carries steep penalties and, more importantly, puts children at immediate risk.
The fact that the vehicle involved was operating without a human driver raises new questions. Georgia permits fully autonomous vehicles (AVs) on its roads, but the state’s laws were written at a time when real-world driverless operation was still limited. Incidents like this one force policymakers, safety officials, and communities to consider how well the law keeps pace with the technology.
Georgia is one of the more permissive states when it comes to allowing driverless vehicles on public roads. Under Georgia Code § 40-8-11 and legislation passed in 2017, fully driverless cars may operate without a human in the front seat so long as they meet federal safety standards, carry proper insurance, and can achieve a safe stop if the system fails.
Importantly, these vehicles must follow all the same traffic laws that apply to human drivers, including school bus rules. The law says little, however, about who is legally “at fault” when a driverless system violates those rules. Is it the manufacturer? The software developer? The fleet operator? Or does the liability shift depending on the specific failure?
These questions mean that even though AVs are legal on Georgia roads, accountability remains a developing area of law.
The Federal Perspective
NHTSA’s involvement signals a growing willingness to scrutinize AV behavior, not just during crashes, but also when vehicles behave dangerously even without causing an accident. The agency has been monitoring Waymo and other self-driving companies for years, but the Atlanta school-bus incident appears to have intensified those efforts.
Federal regulators have said they are evaluating not only the Atlanta event, but also whether other incidents have occurred across the country. If the investigation finds systemic flaws, Waymo could face recalls, mandatory software updates, or tighter operating restrictions.
Managing Accidents With Autonomous Vehicles
Atlanta is one of Waymo’s active testing markets, meaning residents may encounter more driverless vehicles in the coming years. While AV companies promote their technology as safer than human drivers, this recent school bus incident is a reminder that real-world conditions remain complex and challenging for automated systems.
For families, pedestrians, and other drivers, the key takeaway is simple: don’t assume a driverless vehicle will always make the right decision. For policymakers, the incident underscores the need to continuously update Georgia’s AV regulations as the technology evolves.
Collisions involving driverless cars are fundamentally different from traditional car crashes. Instead of dealing only with another driver’s negligence, victims may also be navigating issues involving vehicle software, sensor technology, fleet-operator protocols, and compliance with state and federal regulations. The team at Childers, Schlueter & Smith (CSS) is equipped to handle the complexities of various transportation accident cases. We have experience analyzing vehicle data, understanding federal safety standards, and determining liability when emerging technologies fail.
We will continue monitoring federal and state developments closely and remain committed to advocating for safety, accountability, and justice on behalf of Georgia families. For more information, contact CSS online, via live chat, or call 1-800-641-0098.
