A Waymo autonomous robotaxi struck a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California, on January 23, 2026, prompting a federal safety investigation by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and renewed scrutiny of self-driving car safety protocols. The inquiry will examine whether the Waymo vehicle exercised appropriate caution given its proximity to an elementary school, the presence of multiple children, and the typical hazards associated with school zones. Prior Scrutiny of Waymo and Autonomous Safety IssuesThis incident comes at a time when autonomous vehicle safety is under heightened scrutiny across the United States. Critics emphasize that even with advanced sensors, fully autonomous systems must handle ambiguous and fast-evolving situations with extreme caution. While the child struck by the Waymo robotaxi escaped major injury, the event marks a key moment in the ongoing evolution of autonomous vehicle deployment.