Waymo’s autonomous vehicles are proving to be significantly safer than human drivers, according to the latest data on crashes and safety performance.
As the company continues to roll out its driverless taxis in major cities, new research underscores the impressive safety record of Waymo’s robotaxis, with a stark contrast to human driving habits.
Timothy B. Lee, an AI expert and writer for Understanding AI, analyzed Waymo’s crash data from July 2024 to February 2025 and found that the company’s vehicles are involved in far fewer serious crashes compared to human drivers. Even more compelling, Waymo’s vehicles have drastically fewer injury-causing accidents.
Waymo's Impressive Safety Record
Lee’s analysis highlights a shocking 83% reduction in airbag-triggering crashes for Waymo’s autonomous vehicles compared to human drivers.
Specifically, Waymo reported 44 million miles of operation in Phoenix and San Francisco by the end of 2024, with only 13 incidents serious enough to deploy airbags. By contrast, human drivers would be expected to experience 78 airbag-deploying crashes over the same distance—an 83% drop in comparison.
When factoring in injury-causing crashes, the difference is similarly remarkable.
Waymo vehicles had 36 incidents resulting in injuries over 44 million miles, compared to 190 incidents that would have likely involved human drivers. That’s an 81% reduction in injuries. This improvement in safety underscores the substantial advantages of autonomous technology over traditional human driving.
Also Read: Waymo Expands Its Driverless Taxi Service To New Areas Of Los Angeles
What About Human Error?
The significant difference in crash rates becomes even more notable when looking at how often human drivers are involved in accidents.
Waymo’s vehicles are typically involved in accidents that result from human error, such as speeding, running red lights, or drifting out of lanes. Most Waymo crashes are not the fault of the robotaxi, but rather, other drivers who disregard traffic rules or make risky decisions.
For example, two of Waymo’s most significant recent crashes—one in January 2025 and another in October 2024—were caused by human drivers making reckless decisions.
In both cases, Waymo’s vehicles were stationary or stopped for a red light when they were rear-ended or struck by vehicles crossing the center line. These incidents, which resulted in serious injuries and fatalities, emphasize how human errors continue to contribute to the majority of traffic accidents.
A Look at Insurance Data
Insurance data further corroborates Waymo’s impressive safety performance. A report co-authored with Swiss Re, one of the world’s largest reinsurers, revealed that Waymo’s vehicles had a staggering 90% reduction in bodily injury claims compared to human drivers.
Over 25 million miles driven, only two bodily injury claims have been filed against Waymo, and both are still under investigation. In comparison, human drivers in San Francisco and Phoenix would be expected to generate 26 injury claims over the same distance.
Waymo’s Approach to Safety
While Waymo’s vehicles have undoubtedly made remarkable strides in reducing crashes, the company is not blind to the challenges that lie ahead.
As autonomous technology continues to expand, especially in large metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, the likelihood of more incidents—some serious—is inevitable.
Waymo is committed to refining its technology to prevent these accidents and further improve passenger and pedestrian safety.
The company’s Safe Exit program, for instance, aims to reduce accidents involving passengers opening doors into traffic. While it’s not yet foolproof, it shows the company’s dedication to anticipating and addressing risks associated with autonomous transportation.
Reference Article – After 50 million miles, Waymos crash a lot less than human drivers