Why were Waymo cars driving into active construction zones?

After driving into floodwater, gates, and telephone poles, Waymo’s robotaxis are being recalled yet again for driving into hazards. This time, Waymo’s fleet of nearly 4,000 vehicles is being recalled after at least 13 instances of the cars driving into construction zones on highways. Seven of those incidents occurred in a single day in San Francisco. On May 18, seven of Waymo’s robotaxis drove into active construction zones on highways in the Bay Area, reportedly because the company’s software was “prioritizing the avoidance of other freeway hazards and/or failing to recognize the construction zone,” per filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). One of these incidents was captured and posted to social media by Waymo passenger Elliot Slade, who was riding with his fiancée when the driverless vehicle accelerated into a construction zone. “There were construction signs,” Slade told CBS News of the incident. “There were lights going on. Police in the distance and it sped up. That’s when I looked at my fiancée, we’re done. This is it. We’re dead. We’re going to die right here in the Waymo.” According to Slade, the Waymo sped up for approximately 20 seconds, before pulling off the highway and pulling over in a residential neighborhood. He added that Waymo offered him three free rides up to $40 each as an apology. The next day on May 19, all Waymos were pulled from highways. According to the NHTSA filings, a solution is “currently under development.” In the meantime, Waymos are still operating on surface streets. The recall, issued on June 8, comes amid a massive planned expansion for Waymo, with launches planned for 21 more cities in 2026 alone, including the first Waymos in the United Kingdom and Japan. Way more Waymo woes Waymos driving into construction zones is only the latest snafu in a long list for the company. This recall is the sixth for the robotaxi brand, with previous recalls motiva