Safety
Explore our Safety Case Framework
Our Approach to Safety
The data to date shows Waymo is already making streets safer in the cities where we operate. Backed by industry-leading safety practices, the Waymo Driver is always alert, follows speed limits, promotes seat belt use, and operates some of the safest vehicles on the road. We are committed to driving real progress toward what many cities are striving for: Vision Zero, the global effort to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries.
Our progress is guided by Waymo's Safety Framework — a set of methodologies that detail how we approach safety on a daily basis. To make sure this framework fulfills its function credibly, it is meticulously documented and pressure-tested by our Safety Case.
Because Safety is Urgent™
At Waymo, we believe the status quo of road safety is unacceptable. Autonomous driving technology can save lives and improve mobility for all.
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1.19Mdeaths worldwide due to vehicle crashes each year
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42,514deaths in the U.S. in 2022 and 2.5 million injuries
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$836Bin harm from loss of life and injury each year
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50Minjuries worldwide due to vehicle crashes each year
Making roads safer for all, today
Compared to an average human driver over the same distance in our operating cities, the Waymo Driver had
Overall crash reduction
88% Fewer serious injury or worse crashes (15 fewer)
79% Fewer airbag deployment crashes (94 fewer)
78% Fewer injury-causing crashes (223 fewer)
Crash reductions involving injuries to Vulnerable Road Users
93% Fewer pedestrian crashes with injuries (28 fewer)
81% Fewer cyclist crashes with Injuries (17 fewer)
86% Fewer motorcycle crashes with injuries (13 fewer)
The World’s Most Experienced Driver™
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Tens of thousands of happy riders.
On a weekly basis, we serve tens of thousands of riders across Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and soon Austin.
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Safer than human-driven vehicles.
With 92% fewer bodily injury claims and 88% fewer property damage claims over 25 million miles, Swiss Re (one of the world’s leading reinsurers) concluded that Waymo is significantly safer than human-driven vehicles.
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Over a decade of experience.
We were born as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, and served the first of many fully autonomous rides in 2015.
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Tens of millions of miles.
We have over 40 million miles of real-world driving experience — that’s enough to drive to the Moon and back 80 times.
Committed to Vision Zero
Top-Rated on the FIA Road Safety Index
Top-Rated on the FIA Road Safety Index
Waymo’s ride-hailing service received a 3-star rating (the highest possible) on the FIA Road Safety Index. The FIA Road Safety Index rates an organization’s current traffic safety performance and safety footprint. A top rating signifies that Waymo’s service follows best practices to achieve Vision Zero goals, like using the safest vehicles, requiring seat belt use, and having policies to follow the speed limit.
Starting with the safest vehicles
Starting with the safest vehicles
Waymo builds its service on some of the safest vehicle platforms, each rigorously tested and awarded top ratings in crashworthiness evaluations, including protection provided by airbags, seat belts, and crash structures.
Improving Road Safety Today
Improving Road Safety Today
Some of the most impactful safety measures are also the simplest – consistently obeying speed limits and ensuring seatbelt use. A driver like the Waymo Driver that is always alert, does not speed, requires seat belts, and uses the newest vehicles can eliminate a majority of serious injuries. Combined with Waymo’s safety research and robust safety framework, the data indicates the Waymo Driver is already reducing traffic injuries and fatalities in the places where we currently operate.
The Vision Zero Network is a collaborative campaign to help communities reach their goals of Vision Zero — eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries — while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. The U.S. Department of Transportation National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS) marks a critical step toward an ambitious long-term goal of reaching zero traffic fatalities on American roads. Waymo supports the NRSS by advancing Safer Vehicles and Safer Speeds through the research and deployment of its fully autonomous ride-hailing service, Waymo One.
Safety Research
We’re actively conducting studies and publishing peer-reviewed findings on our safety methodologies, performance data, and more