Waymo's autonomous driving system is proving to be significantly safer than human drivers, particularly in preventing injuries to vulnerable road users, according to newly published research from the company.
The findings, which Waymo said in a blog post are based on more than 56.7 million miles of driving data, show substantial reductions in crash rates involving pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists when compared to human-driven vehicles.
According to the study, which is slated for publication in the Traffic Injury Prevention Journal, the Waymo Driver system recorded a 92% decrease in pedestrian injury crashes. Injury crashes involving cyclists and motorcyclists were both reduced by 82%, and intersection-related injury crashes -- one of the leading sources of severe accidents -- dropped by 96%.
The autonomous system also achieved an 85% reduction in crashes involving suspected serious or worse injuries, reinforcing claims that self-driving technology may provide a significant public safety benefit.
“It’s exciting to see the real positive impact that Waymo is making on the streets of America as we continue to expand,” said Mauricio Peña, Waymo’s chief safety officer. “This research reinforces the growing evidence that the Waymo Driver is playing a crucial role in reducing serious crashes and protecting all road users.”
“It’s encouraging to see real-world data showing Waymo outperforming human drivers when it comes to safety,” said Jonathan Adkins, CEO of the Governors Highway Safety Association. “Fewer crashes and fewer injuries -- especially for people walking and biking -- is exactly the kind of progress we want to see from autonomous vehicles.”
