Waymos continue to loop around this cul-de-sac in Atlanta without passengers.

Waymo Self-Driving Cars Cause Concern in Atlanta Suburbs

Recently, numerous self-driving Waymo vehicles have been spotted in suburban Atlanta, reportedly roaming around cul-de-sacs for extended periods without any passengers. Neighbors have noticed this unusual activity.

In the past few weeks, a continuous stream of these vehicles has been making their way through quiet, dead-end streets in northwest Atlanta, often circling cul-de-sacs, particularly in the early morning hours, and blocking roads as residents attempt to navigate around them.

“I think there were around 50 cars that came through between 6 and 7 yesterday morning,” shared a neighbor who chose to remain anonymous. She mentioned this to a local news outlet recently.

Residents claim this issue has begun to affect other streets in the area as well.

One group of neighbors even put up a slow sign in the middle of Battleview Drive in an effort to deter the Waymos from their looping behavior, but this only led to further complications.

“At one point, there were eight Waymos, and we were stuck trying to figure out how to get them to turn around,” the neighbor recounted.

Videos submitted to local media depict long lines of Waymo vehicles with flashing lights and loud signals indicating they were blocked from proceeding.

While locals note that Waymo’s services have gained popularity in various cities nationwide, they point out that these vehicles have not been picking up passengers or providing any rides.

Moreover, parents in the community express concern over the sudden arrival of driverless vehicles.

“We have kids, and we also have pets. We take our kids to the bus stop in the morning, but this traffic situation is just not safe,” voiced a concerned local.

Residents reached out to Waymo but have yet to receive any response. They also contacted local officials and the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Waymo, part of Google’s parent company Alphabet, stated that it has identified and addressed the problematic routing behaviors.

“With over 500,000 trips conducted weekly across the country, we aim to significantly reduce road injuries and enhance safety,” the company said in a public statement.

They also emphasized their commitment to maintaining a positive relationship with Atlanta residents, focusing on ensuring a smooth, respectful, and safe experience for everyone involved.

Yet, Waymo has faced various issues since beginning operations in the U.S. It now operates in 11 markets, including major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin, and Miami.

This week, the company recalled approximately 4,000 of its self-driving vehicles due to a software glitch that could allow them to unintentionally drive into standing water.