California approves Waymo driverless taxis in twelve more counties

The California Public Utilities Commission has signed off on Waymo’s request to extend driverless taxi service to twelve more counties, adding Sacramento and San Diego to its network and raising the total to eighteen counties. The approval, issued under Advice Letter No. 4, allows Waymo to operate on any speed limit, road type, and in most weather, with the sole exception of extensive snow or ice. Recent safety studies from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Swiss Re indicate the autonomous fleet experiences significantly fewer crashes and claim losses compared with human drivers.

While the agency highlighted these safety benefits, it also acknowledged past issues such as a cat-related collision and temporary service pauses during power outages or severe weather. Legislative opposition persists, driven by transportation unions wary of job impacts, though a related bill was vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom. The move reflects a broader shift toward diversified mobility options and could influence future regulatory approaches in California.