Waymo is not done freezes its robotaxi service on security issues. The Alphabet brand says it has suspended highway driving in US cities where it was available, including Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix and San Francisco.
in a statement initially supplied to ReutersWaymo said it wanted to “integrate recent technical knowledge” into its Driver software. According to a spokesperson, the company wants to improve the way its autonomous vehicles handle construction zones.
Highway operations should resume “soon,” Waymo added. Service on other roads has not changed.
The decision was not linked to a specific incident, but came just days after writer Elliot Slade shared a video which appeared to show his Waymo vehicle passing through construction cones, maneuvering around large trucks and allegedly driving away from police. Slade felt “completely helpless” as his partner sat next to him, according to his X post.
Compounding Waymo’s recent problems
Flooded roads have also been a problem
The suspension comes shortly after Waymo temporarily stopped service in Atlanta after one of its cars entered a flooded intersection and became stuck for about an hour. This, in turn, came after the company suspended its business in San Antonio for similar reasons.
Waymo attempted to mitigate the problem with a software update that moves its robotaxis away from roads with high flood risks. However, a more complete solution is still being developed and the pause in Atlanta came after the short-term solution was implemented. Waymo issued a recall for all of its 3,791 robotaxis as part of the upgrade strategy.
Safety issues are not unique to Waymo, as competitors like Tesla and The missing GM cruiser They have also addressed the problems. However, the company has faced a number of concerns in 2026, including parking ticketshis handling of stopped school buses and a collision with a child in January.
Necessary but inconvenient
While Waymo has long said it prioritizes safety, the decision to suspend highway service could frustrate a company eager to increase demand. All affected cities rely heavily on highways for long-distance travel. Without them, some trips are simply too long to be practical: customers can switch to human-driven trips and are not guaranteed to return once driverless taxis return.
Fountain: Reuters
