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SANTA MONICA, CA – A child was struck by a self-driving vehicle near an elementary school in Santa Monica, prompting a federal investigation and renewed concerns about whether autonomous vehicles are being deployed safely in areas where children are present. According to an article published by What Happened Near the Elementary School
According to USA Today, the incident occurred on January 23 within two blocks of an elementary school during normal morning drop-off hours. Federal investigators noted the presence of multiple children, a crossing guard, and congested traffic conditions in the area.
The Waymo vehicle involved was operating without a human safety driver. Regulators reported that the child sustained minor physical injuries, but the circumstances have triggered questions about how autonomous vehicles are programmed to respond in school zones and whether sufficient safeguards are in place to protect children in high-risk environments.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reviewing whether the automated driving system exercised appropriate caution given the known presence of children and school-related activity.
Why School Zones Require Child-First Safety Design
School zones exist because children are present and because they require heightened protection. Streets near schools are not ordinary driving environments. They are places where safety systems must anticipate the presence of children and operate with extra caution.
When new technology is introduced into these spaces, it must be designed and tested with children in mind. Autonomous vehicles operating near schools should be held to the highest safety expectations, with systems that prioritize detection, stopping distance, and conservative decision-making whenever children are nearby.
Families should not have to worry that roads near schools are being treated as testing grounds rather than protected spaces.
How Civil Cases Help Children and Families Heal
When a child is injured by a vehicle, the impact often extends far beyond physical injuries. Children may experience fear, anxiety, sleep disruption, or long-term emotional trauma after being struck or nearly struck by a car. Many families seek counseling or play therapy to help their child process what happened and feel safe again.
Civil cases involving child injuries focus on understanding what went wrong, identifying preventable failures, and ensuring families have access to the resources their child needs to recover. These cases also play an important role in improving safety by pushing companies and decision-makers to correct dangerous practices and designs.
At The Button Law Firm, we work with families to address the full scope of harm a child experiences, including emotional trauma, developmental impact, and the need for ongoing support. Protecting children means looking beyond the immediate incident and focusing on long-term well-being.
The Need for Stronger Oversight and Child Protections
USA Today reported that this incident is part of broader regulatory scrutiny involving autonomous vehicles. Safety advocates have raised concerns about how these systems operate in complex environments and whether they consistently prioritize vulnerable road users.
When technology is deployed on public streets, especially near schools, strong oversight and enforceable safety standards are essential. Regulations should reflect the reality that children are present and ensure that companies are held accountable when safety systems fall short.
Protecting children must be the central consideration as autonomous vehicle technology continues to expand.
The Button Law Firm’s Commitment to Child Safety
This incident is deeply concerning and should never have happened. Children should be able to travel to and from school without being placed at risk by unsafe systems or inadequate protections.
Although BLF is not handling this specific case, our firm is dedicated to protecting children through civil advocacy and litigation. We support families when children are injured and work to hold responsible parties accountable while pushing for safer environments for all children.
If your child has been injured in a traffic incident or if you have concerns about unsafe conditions affecting children, you can contact The Button Law Firm by calling (214) 699-4409, emailing intake@buttonlawfirm.com, or filling out the contact form on our website.
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