There Auto Be A Law

This week we're joined by Phil Koopman. We dig into Waymo’s safety claims, noting outdated or unsupported references, shifting software stacks, and metrics that can look better simply because vehicles crash while empty. Plus we highlight regulatory and liability gray zones, arguing “remote assistance” still makes safety-critical driving decisions while industry language tries to make nobody accountable, and warns proposed laws could label the ADS as the “driver.” Other topics include a complaint alleging unaccompanied minors ride in AVs, a wrong-way AV incident, rosy media takes on UK AVs, Tesla Semi hype and recalls/investigations involving power seats, rear cameras, and Tesla FSD in poor visibility.Support the show!https://avsc.sae-itc.com/publication/avsc-04-2023https://cagigunion.org/news/2026/03/17/california-gig-workers-union-files-complaint-against-waymo-for-allegedly-violating-california-permit-by-transporting-unaccompanied-minors/https://philkoopman.substack.com/p/why-robotaxis-have-an-inherent-3xhttps://www.kgw.com/article/news/national/watch-driverless-waymo-car-caught-going-wrong-way/507-00a51f30-e0ed-458e-b8d5-85c6dbbce19bhttps://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/utah-lawmakers-approve-legal-framework-120225763.htmlhttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/19/my-ride-in-a-self-driving-taxi-londonhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/03/21/autonomous-vehicles-dc-waymo-ddot/https://www.wsj.com/business/logistics/truckers-tesla-fans-semi-b0a66e6ehttps://arstechnica.com/security/2026/03/after-hack-some-ignition-interlock-users-couldnt-start-their-own-cars/https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V160-3144.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V173-8909.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V165-2897.pdf

They dig into a surge in hit-and-run incidents and why drivers flee crash scenes. They debate alcohol detection tech, accuracy disputes, and non-immobilizing countermeasures. They detail harassment of Waymo vehicles, the limits of software fixes, and enforcement challenges. They examine driverless semis, phantom braking risks, cargo theft concerns, and broader commercial vehicle safety gaps.

A deep dive into an NTSB review of a Santa Monica school-zone crash and whether remote operators are really driving. Reporting on robotaxis stalling in San Francisco and the strain on first responders. A critique of Waymo safety claims and the studies behind them. Discussion of Zoox design exemptions, AV impacts on vehicle miles, and troubling Tesla FSD railroad incidents.

A deep dive into Waymo's recent safety stumbles, including a school-bus pass and blocking first responders. A look at how remote human interventions complicate automated driving and liability. Hidden destination fees in car buying get called out. International rules and policing tactics raise questions about who keeps roads safe.

Congressional questions spotlight how Waymo downplays remote control by calling humans “assistants,” even while describing tools that remotely drive car at low speed—raising debates about who counts as the driver, latency, transparency, and who is legally accountable when people are hurt. Fred dives into the world of ODD and how AV companies don't want it defined. Plus recalls.Support the show!https://assets.ctfassets.net/7ijaobx36mtm/7E5uOzS5F7Z1yuFoz27BIc/680a27f89a3aae48977db655a5f45005/Sen._Markey_RA_Letter_Waymo__Response.pdfhttps://junkoyoshidaparis.substack.com/p/why-does-waymos-lexicon-prefer-assistantshttps://junkoyoshidaparis.substack.com/p/never-trust-another-drivereven-ifhttps://electrek.co/2026/02/19/tesla-admits-needs-drivers-and-remote-operators-argues-better-than-waymo/https://www.usatoday.com/story/cars/news/2026/02/24/tesla-sues-california-autopilot-false-advertising/88840398007/https://electrek.co/2026/02/23/tesla-nhtsa-fsd-traffic-violation-investigation-second-extension/https://www.theverge.com/transportation/882993/donut-labs-solid-state-battery-charge-speed-vtt-testhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V081-3468.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V080-7320.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V085-3557.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V101-7237.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V090-1523.pdf

Tesla removes the term “Autopilot” after a California DMV order. The Halt Drunk Driving Act is supported both by MADD and the alcohol industry but some Republican officials think the government is bad. There is a lot of tech to prevent drunk drivers but, insert scare mongering here. Waymo's PR team does a victory lap by taking over the Washington Post editorial board. Plus more Tesla nonsense and recalls.Support the show!apnews.com/article/federal-law-impairment-detection-car-dui-062d40e885a0e32c6cad0ba70163aef8https://www.seattletimes.com/business/how-fords-hangover-suit-tackles-morning-after-drunken-driving/https://electrek.co/2026/02/17/tesla-rolls-first-steering-wheel-less-cybercab-unit-off-the-line-before-solving-autonomy/https://futurism.com/future-society/tesla-cybercab-dripping-liquidhttps://electrek.co/2026/02/16/tesla-full-self-driving-tried-to-drive-owner-into-lake-viral-video/https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/do-not-drive-warning-unrepaired-takata-chrysler-dodge-jeephttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V067-2498.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V073-9315.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V069-2089.pdf

Updates on Uber being held liable for driver misconduct, rear seat safety and Manhattan congestion pricing. Waymo gets more gaslight love, Ford gaslights itself, the Feds want to stop funding speed cameras, we get updates to the underrides act plus recent vehicle recalls impacting Toyota, Chrysler and BMW. Support the show!https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/business/uber-safety-rape-verdict.htmlhttps://www.npr.org/2026/02/03/nx-s1-5696544/crash-test-dummy-rear-seathttps://www.jalopnik.com/2089056/manhattan-congestion-pricing-drive-time-suburbs/https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/hands-free-driving-ford-investigation-4fc87266https://waymo.com/safety/impact#faq-how-does-waymos-perf-P0-2https://www.freightwaves.com/news/a-billion-dollar-fix-for-a-distraction-problem-disguised-as-an-underride-problemhttps://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/usdot-limits-traffic-safety-camera-funding/811191/https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V049-9292.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V051-3975.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V056-6534.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V059-8421.pdf

Phil Koopman, a computer engineer and author on embodied AI safety, weighs in on Waymo’s collision with a child and wider AV safety failings. He questions “sudden” defenses, probes school-bus and school-zone behavior, and critiques narrow benchmarks like NEON. The conversation covers redundancy, regulation differences, remote supervision tradeoffs, and demands for clearer transparency and evidence.

This week we pushed through the muck that is the Terms of Service for Uber, Waymo and Tesla's Robo-Taxi. In summary you are agreeing to give up your rights, likeness and dignity just so you can ride in a car without a human behind the wheel. Strange times.

Safety is not why new cars are expensive but higher prices make consumers hold onto older, less safe cars. Waymo continues the usual nonsense from them and their PR, paid and unpaid, shills. NHTSA gives Tesla more time to explain why FSD fails. More news on Chinese counterfeit airbags and Ford gives us some recalls.Support the show! Donate.https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/sacrificing-safety-is-not-the-way-to-make-cars-affordablehttps://philkoopman.substack.com/p/the-waymo-school-bus-problemhttps://arstechnica.com/cars/2026/01/feds-give-tesla-another-five-weeks-to-respond-to-fsd-probe/https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/urgent-warning-two-more-deaths-substandard-dangerous-chinese-air-bag-inflatorshttps://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2026/01/13/states-earbuds-headphones-legal-while-driving/88147204007/https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V009-9507.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V012-0477.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V011-0611.pdf