Report Finds Waymo Robotaxis Cause 1.5 Times More Severe Crashes per Mile Than NYC For-Hire Cars
Updated
Updated · Gothamist · Jul 20
Report Finds Waymo Robotaxis Cause 1.5 Times More Severe Crashes per Mile Than NYC For-Hire Cars
3 articles · Updated · Gothamist · Jul 20
Summary
A Hunter College and Open Plans report found Waymo robotaxis caused serious-injury or fatal crashes at 1.5 times the per-mile rate of New York City’s for-hire fleet since 2020.
The finding rests on a small base: NYC’s nearly 120,000 for-hire vehicles logged 16 severe crashes, while Waymo’s roughly 4,000 robotaxis nationwide logged three, but over far fewer miles.
Waymo disputed the methodology, saying the study does not make an apples-to-apples comparison and questioning how researchers defined “serious” injuries.
On a broader crash measure, Waymo looked better: its vehicles were involved in about 67% fewer injury-causing crashes per million miles, though the authors said limited mileage and data constraints prevent firm conclusions.
The report urged New York lawmakers to slow any expansion of robotaxis after the city’s eight-vehicle pilot saw no crashes and Governor Kathy Hochul this year dropped support for a wider state bill.