The rise of driverless rides is here with autonomous vehicles like Waymo transitioning from sci-fi fantasy to real life. So, is it safe to ride in a Waymo with just a computer at the wheel? Read on for the safety data and my own personal experience after riding in a Waymo driverless taxi.

A subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Waymo has logged millions of self-driving miles across several U.S. cities, offering ride-hailing services without a human driver at the wheel.

For riders, the safety of a driverless ride is more than just a technical issue—it’s about trust, comfort, and knowing that a car guided solely by sensors and software can navigate complex roads as reliably (or more so) than a human driver.

Waymo by the Numbers: What the Crash Data Reveals

In 2023, Waymo released its own multi-year safety reports covering over 7 million miles driven in Phoenix and San Francisco, two of the busiest and most complex urban environments in the U.S. According to these reports, Waymo vehicles were involved in fewer crashes per mile than the national average for human-driven vehicles.

A peer-reviewed study published in 2024 analyzing over 600 simulated crash scenarios found that Waymo’s vehicles reduced injury-causing crashes by 85% compared to human drivers in similar conditions. Importantly, Waymo’s system often predicted and avoided dangerous behavior by other drivers, such as sudden lane changes or running red lights.

While Waymo cars have been involved in fender-benders—often due to other drivers rear-ending them—they’ve had no recorded fatal accidents involving passengers since the start of their fully autonomous service.

Lidar, Cameras, and Caution: How Waymo “Sees” the Road

Waymo vehicles operate using a sophisticated combination of lidar sensors, radar, high-definition cameras, and AI-driven software. You can see all the cameras and sensors all over the car and view the screen inside that shows what is around the car.

Unlike Tesla’s camera-only approach, Waymo’s multi-layered sensing system allows the vehicle to create a 3D, 360-degree view of its surroundings—even in low light or poor weather conditions.

Its fleet of Chrysler Pacifica and Jaguar I-PACE vehicles are mapped down to the centimeter, enabling the cars to predict the behavior of pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers with surprising accuracy.

Still, critics argue that sensors can’t replicate human intuition. However, supporters counter that autonomous systems aren’t distracted, tired, or emotional, and thus may avoid risky behaviors that humans routinely engage in, like speeding through a yellow light or checking a phone mid-drive. And you never have to worry if your driver has been drinking!

What Riders Are Saying: Real Experiences in a Waymo

Riding in a Waymo certainly has a futuristic feel. When the car arrives, you will see your initials lit up on top of the car. You then use your phone app to open the door.

When you get in, there is nobody in the driver’s seat, but a voice welcomes you and gives a little speech about buckling up.

See my Reel below for what it’s like to ride in a Waymo:

For those who have taken a ride in a Waymo, the experience is often described as surprisingly smooth and, ironically, more cautious than human drivers. I agree with this! It was a really nice ride, even when navigating the crazy streets of downtown San Francisco.

Riders report that the vehicle follows speed limits exactly, waits a few extra seconds at stop signs, and yields generously at crosswalks. Our car did follow all the rules and managed to carefully navigate through an intersection blocked with traffic.

Some riders do mention occasional awkward maneuvers—like overly wide turns or long pauses in heavy traffic—but these are typically seen as safe, if sometimes overly conservative, responses. Others have noted how calming it is to ride without small talk, erratic braking, or aggressive merging.

In 2024, Waymo One—the company’s public ride-hailing app—received high user ratings in Phoenix and San Francisco. In fact, customer satisfaction surveys showed over 90% of users felt “safe” or “very safe” during their rides.

Comparing Waymo to Human Drivers—and the Competition

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 94% of serious car crashes are caused by human error. In contrast, Waymo vehicles are designed to never drive under the influence, get distracted, or suffer from road rage. They don’t speed, they don’t multitask, and they don’t misjudge a left turn.

Compared to other autonomous competitors like Cruise, Waymo has maintained a relatively strong safety reputation. Cruise faced a suspension in California after a high-profile pedestrian incident in late 2023, which increased public scrutiny across the entire driverless industry. Waymo responded by publishing even more transparent safety data and updating its public incident response protocols.

That transparency—combined with their steady expansion and careful rollout strategy—has helped position Waymo as the most trusted autonomous ride service in the U.S.

What Happens If Something Goes Wrong?

One of the most common concerns among new riders is what happens during an emergency or vehicle malfunction. Waymo vehicles are monitored remotely by trained support teams who can assist or intervene if needed. If a rider needs help, they can press a button inside the car to speak to a support specialist in real time.

The cars are also programmed to safely pull over and stop if they encounter a road hazard they can’t navigate, such as an unexpected construction zone or a traffic signal outage. So far, riders report very few mid-ride incidents, and Waymo continuously updates its driving software based on real-world scenarios to improve performance.

Final Verdict: Is It Safe?

Based on the data and the growing number of positive rider experiences, the answer appears to be yes—riding in a Waymo is remarkably safe. While no transportation method is without risk, Waymo’s safety-first design, transparent reporting, and strong track record make it one of the most promising alternatives to human-driven cars.

And after experiencing riding in a Waymo myself, I agree with that assessment. I really enjoyed my ride and recommend giving it a try!

Waymo FAQ

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