Recent data indicates that autonomous vehicles, particularly those operated by Waymo, have demonstrated a significant reduction in accidents compared to human drivers. Waymo claims a reduction of up to 84% in crashes leading to airbag deployment and 73% fewer crash-related injuries during its initial 22 million miles of operation. However, the evidence supporting these claims is largely derived from the company itself, raising questions about its reliability.
While autonomous vehicles have been expanding into urban environments, they only received permission to operate on highways in November 2025. Prior to this, most driving occurred in city settings, which differ significantly from the more dangerous conditions typically faced by human drivers. The Federal Highway Administration reports that approximately 25% of human driving transpires on freeways, where higher speeds can lead to more severe accidents.
Concerns also arise about the frequency of human intervention in autonomous vehicles, with little transparency from providers like Waymo and Tesla regarding when these takeovers occur. Data from California’s Department of Motor Vehicles reveals that Waymo vehicles disengaged once every 9,793 miles, while other companies experienced more frequent interventions, highlighting the need for more comprehensive information in assessing safety.