[AutonomousVehicles] Waymo Vehicles Crash Far Less Than Other Vehicles

[Cornelius Butler]

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released a landmark
study finding that Waymo driverless vehicles crash significantly less often
than human-driven vehicles.

Waymo autonomous vehicle
Source: Waymo

KEY FINDINGS FROM THE STUDY

68% Overall Reduction in Crashes

Across 50 million miles driven without a human supervisor in Phoenix, San
Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin between 2021 and 2024, Waymo vehicles
were involved in 68% fewer police-reportable crashes per vehicle mile
traveled than human drivers in the same locations.

Drastic Drop in Serious Incidents

Waymo vehicles had:

• 81% fewer injury crashes
• 85% fewer single-vehicle crashes

Fewer Rear-End Collisions

Waymo vehicles were:

• 91% less likely to rear-end another vehicle
• 40% less likely to be rear-ended by another driver

City-by-City Results

The reduction in crash rates varied by location:

• Phoenix: 76% lower
• Los Angeles: 71% lower
• San Francisco: 35% lower
• Austin: 4% higher

Researchers noted that the Austin results were based on a relatively small
sample size.

Call for Better Data Tracking

IIHS President David Harkey said the results indicate that autonomous
vehicles can be safer than human-driven vehicles when deployed on a limited
scale.

However, he also said the current federal system for monitoring
automated-vehicle crashes needs significant improvement to provide
continuous oversight as autonomous fleets expand.

DIRECT LINKS AND RESOURCES

Official IIHS Announcement and Study Details:

https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/waymos-driverless-cars-crash-less-often-than-people

NEWS COVERAGE

CBC News:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/waymo-driverless-car-safety-study-9.7282895

Kelley Blue Book:

https://www.kbb.com/car-news/study-waymo-driverless-cars-safer-than-human-drivers/

Smart Cities Dive:

https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/waymo-robotaxis-safer-than-human-drivers-iihs-report/826320/

Jalopnik:

https://www.jalopnik.com/2222264/iihs-says-waymos-are-safer-than-human-drivers/

YOUTUBE NEWS COVERAGE

CBC News/The National:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/r3HaEH4e7R4

ABC7 News Bay Area:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Xf4XLg2C9Y

KENS 5:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jH8NNPsH-T0
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