Waymo Driver Linked to 80% Fewer Injury Crashes, Most Incidents Blamed on Human Drivers

New data released by autonomous vehicle company Waymo indicates its self-driving cars are involved in significantly fewer crashes resulting in injuries compared to human-driven vehicles. Furthermore, a substantial majority of the incidents involving Waymo vehicles appear to be the fault of other drivers, according to recent analyses. This information reinforces claims made by observers like Timothy B. Lee, who stated on social media, > "Not only do Waymos get into fewer crashes than human drivers, the overwhelming majority of those crashes appear to be the fault of another driver."

Waymo's latest research, encompassing over 56 million rider-only miles, demonstrates a marked improvement in road safety. The company reported an 88% reduction in serious injury or worse crashes, a 79% decrease in airbag deployment crashes, and 78% fewer injury-causing crashes when compared to human driver benchmarks across its operating cities. These figures highlight the autonomous system's capability to mitigate severe outcomes on public roads.

An independent review of 45 serious Waymo crashes over a six-month period revealed that most were not attributable to the autonomous system. A large proportion of these incidents, including 24 collisions with stationary Waymo vehicles and seven rear-end collisions, occurred when other human-driven vehicles struck the robotaxis. Only one incident, a mechanical failure where a wheel detached, was clearly Waymo's fault, and it was not a software error.

The transparent reporting by Waymo has been lauded by industry experts. Jonathan Adkins, CEO of the Governors Highway Safety Association, noted that the data shows Waymo "outperforming human drivers when it comes to safety," particularly for vulnerable road users. Waymo's Driver technology is designed to avoid common human errors such as speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving, which are major contributors to fatal crashes.

While the data primarily focuses on the direct safety performance of Waymo vehicles, it contributes to the ongoing discussion about the potential of autonomous technology to enhance overall road safety. As Waymo continues to expand its operations and accumulate more miles, the company aims to further strengthen its safety data and contribute to the vision of zero traffic deaths and serious injuries.