Waymo’s self-driving robotaxis plunged into deadly floodwaters in San Antonio, exposing dangerous flaws that could endanger American lives and undermine trust in unproven autonomous tech pushed by big government and tech elites.[1][2]
Story Highlights
- Waymo recalled 3,791 robotaxis nationwide after an unoccupied vehicle drove into a flooded San Antonio road on April 20, 2026, and got swept away.[1][2]
- Software flaw causes vehicles to slow but not stop on higher-speed roads detecting flooded lanes, raising safety alarms in six major cities.[1][2]
- Multiple incidents in Texas show Waymo cars running red lights in Dallas and struggling through floods in San Antonio, per video evidence.[1][2]
- No injuries reported yet, but critics warn these failures threaten public safety amid lax federal oversight from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).[1][2]
San Antonio Flood Incident Sparks Massive Recall
On April 20, 2026, an unoccupied Waymo autonomous vehicle entered an untraversable flooded section of a San Antonio roadway with a 40 miles per hour speed limit. The robotaxi slowed to a reduced speed but failed to stop, allowing floodwaters to sweep it into a creek. Waymo filed a voluntary recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on April 30, affecting 3,791 vehicles across Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, San Antonio, and Atlanta.[1][2]
Waymo’s Automated Driving System software detected the flooded lane but only slowed the vehicle on higher-speed roads without halting it completely. This flaw prompted the nationwide recall. The company operates in flood-prone areas, and this marks the second such incident in San Antonio within a month, leading to temporary operations halt before resumption this week.[1][2]
Software Fixes and Interim Safeguards Deployed
Waymo pushed an over-the-air software update to address the flooding detection issue, eliminating the need for vehicles to visit service centers. The company implemented interim measures, including refined extreme weather operations during intense rain and restrictions on access to flash flood-prone areas. Updated maps further limit exposure to hazards.[1][2]
Despite these steps, questions linger about the reliability of autonomous systems in unpredictable real-world conditions like sudden floods common in American cities. Waymo claims its technology reduces crashes compared to human drivers, but edge cases like this reveal vulnerabilities that demand rigorous scrutiny.[1][2]
Broader Safety Concerns from Texas Videos Emerge
Dashcam footage from Dallas captured Waymo vehicles running dim red lights at the Irving Boulevard intersection, nearly turning into oncoming traffic. University of Texas at Austin expert Nil Bhat noted these systems falter in scenarios absent from training data. Additional San Antonio videos showed robotaxis stuck in flooded intersections, speeding through high water, or veering onto sidewalks.[1][2]
Waymo’s latest recall highlights how tough real-world edge cases are for autonomous driving. After a robotaxi entered floodwaters in Texas, Waymo has tightened safeguards.
Read the full article for more details: https://t.co/JdqicX7jBs #Waymo #SelfDrivingCars
— Digital CxO (@DigCxO) May 13, 2026
These incidents fuel conservative concerns over government-backed autonomous vehicle expansion, which threatens jobs for American drivers and prioritizes Silicon Valley innovation over proven human judgment. The Trump administration must prioritize safety regulations to protect citizens from tech overreach that erodes personal freedoms and public trust in roadways.[1][2]
Sources:
[1] Web – Waymo recalls robotaxi fleet after one drove into Texas floodwaters
[2] Web – Waymo recalls over 3500 vehicles after robotaxi entered flooded …
