A Waymo self-driving vehicle was recorded running a red light and crossing through traffic at a busy intersection on Irving Boulevard at Inwood Road, according to footage captured by a nearby driver.
The video shows the robotaxi entering the intersection while the signal was red. No injuries were reported, and surrounding drivers were able to avoid a crash.
“Happened this afternoon,” Reddit user jackajm posted on May 9. “Waymo kept creeping up in the intersection, then just straight up ran the light.”
In a statement to Fox 4 KDFW, a Waymo spokesperson said, “Safety is our highest priority at Waymo — for our riders and everyone with whom we share the road.”
The company said the traffic signal appeared “heavily dimmed” when viewed from the right-hand left-turn lane and indicated it is taking steps to address the issue.
Waymo began operating in Dallas in February. Since the rollout, the company has faced scrutiny over a series of incidents in Texas and elsewhere.
Police in Austin have reported that Waymo vehicles failed to obey officers’ hand signals and drove around barricades into closed construction zones. Austin ISD also released a video showing Waymo cars illegally passing school buses that had their red lights flashing and stop arms extended.
“One incident is too many,” said Lt. Will White of the Austin Police Department, Fox 4 reported. “One of those vehicles not recognizing a school bus arm and passing it is surprising for a system that’s supposed to be significantly safer than humans.”
Federal regulators have opened an investigation into an incident in January in Santa Monica, California, in which a Waymo vehicle allegedly failed to use caution in a school zone and struck a child. The child reportedly sustained minor injuries.
