Google’s (GOOGL) Self-Driving Cars Investigated for Passing Stopped School Buses

Google parent company Alphabet GOOGL -0.96% ▼ is being investigated after its Waymo self-driving vehicles passed stopped school buses, putting children at risk.

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The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced that it is investigating an incident involving a Waymo self-driving vehicle that passed a stopped school bus with activated lights in violation of Texas state law.

The incident occurred on Jan. 12 in Austin, Texas when a school bus was loading children, according to the NTSB’s statement. The federal government agency said it is also investigating a second incident that occurred on Jan. 14 when a Waymo vehicle passed a stopped school bus carrying special-needs children.

Alphabet’s Lone Star Problems

Alphabet recalled its Waymo autonomous vehicles at the end of 2025 after Texas officials reported the self-driving vehicles had illegally passed school buses at least 19 times since the start of the school year last September.

Alphabet has not commented publicly on the incidents or said why its self-driving cars are passing stopped school buses as children either get on or off them. Waymo, an Alphabet subsidiary, has been testing its driverless vehicles in four U.S. states: Arizona, California, Texas, and Florida.

Is GOOGL Stock a Buy?

The stock of Alphabet has a consensus Strong Buy rating among 32 Wall Street analysts. That rating is based on 26 Buy and six Hold recommendations issued in the last three months. The average GOOGL price target of $380.13 implies 25.22% upside from current levels.

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