# @pcmag on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DUHCHFiGAkE
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/54702048-pcmag-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/e49d24f895.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-01-29T21:35:48.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** PCMag (@pcmag) — https://gondola.cc/pcmag

## Caption

It’s been reported that a Waymo self-driving car hit a child near a school in Santa Monica, California, last week. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating, but Waymo is indicating it was a low-speed collision.

The incident occurred on Friday near an elementary school “during normal school drop-off hours,” according to the NHTSA’s report. “The child ran across the street from behind a double-parked SUV towards the school and was struck by the Waymo AV. Waymo reported that the child sustained minor injuries."

That very same day Waymo reported the incident to the NHTSA. In a blog post, the company says, "the event occurred when the pedestrian suddenly entered the roadway from behind a tall SUV, moving directly into our vehicle's path.

"Our technology immediately detected the individual as soon as they began to emerge from behind the stopped vehicle," it adds. "The Waymo Driver braked hard, reducing speed from approximately 17 mph to under 6 mph before contact was made.” 

Further defending the AV, Waymo says its own simulations show “that a fully attentive human driver in this same situation” would have also struck the child, but at about 14mph. “This significant reduction in impact speed and severity is a demonstration of the material safety benefit of the Waymo Driver,” it says.

More at PCMag
📸: Getty Images

#waymo #technews #av #driverlesscar #technology

Like what you're reading? Don't miss out on our latest stories. Add PCMag as a preferred source on Google. 🏅

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 123
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 10

## Tags

driverlesscar, waymo, technews, av, technology

---
Copyright (c) Gondola