Sharing the road with driverless cars: tips for drivers, walkers and riders
How driverless cars behave in traffic and how everyone around them can stay safe
In a growing number of cities, you may pull up next to a car with no one behind the wheel. Driverless robotaxis now run in more than a dozen U.S. cities, and Waymo alone reported about half a million paid rides a week in early 2026 [1].
You do not need special skills to share the road with them. But knowing how they behave helps you predict their moves and stay safe.
How driverless cars tend to drive
- They follow posted speed limits and come to full stops.
- They yield often, including to people walking and to emergency vehicles.
- They may hesitate at unusual situations, such as hand signals from a construction worker or a double parked truck.
- They stop to pick up and drop off riders, sometimes in places a human driver might not.
- They use sensors on all sides, including cameras, radar and laser sensors called lidar.
These habits make them predictable in some ways and surprising in others. A human driver might roll through a yellow light. A robotaxi is more likely to stop.
Tips for drivers
- Leave a full following distance. A robotaxi may brake for something you do not see.
- Signal clearly before changing lanes or turning.
- Do not cut in front of a robotaxi or brake test it. It is just as dangerous as doing it to a human driver.
- Be patient if one pauses at an intersection. Honking will not help.
- Watch for sudden pullovers at pickup and drop off spots.
- Never block one on purpose. Interfering with any vehicle can lead to a crash and a ticket.
Tips for people walking
- Cross at crosswalks and with the signal when you can.
- Make your intention clear. Step to the curb and wait for a clear gap or signal.
- Do not assume a car will stop, whether a person or a computer is driving.
- Stay off your phone while crossing busy streets.
Tips for cyclists and scooter riders
- Ride predictably and signal turns.
- Watch for doors opening when robotaxis drop off riders.
- Use lights day and night so all drivers and sensors can detect you.
- Do not pass on the right of a turning robotaxi, just as with any vehicle.
Emergency scenes and first responders
Robotaxis have sometimes been slow to clear the way for emergency crews or have stopped in awkward places. States are responding.
California. Since July 1, 2026, a state law lets police issue “notices of noncompliance” to robotaxi companies for traffic violations. Companies must provide a 24 hour hotline for first responders and a way for officers to talk with remote operators. When first responders mark an area off limits, the company must move its cars out within two minutes [2].
Texas. Since May 28, 2026, companies running driverless commercial vehicles must hold a state authorization. They must give the state a plan for how police, firefighters and EMS can interact with their vehicles [3].
Warning: If you see a driverless car blocking an emergency vehicle or stuck in a dangerous spot, do not try to move it or get inside. Call 911 if anyone is in danger, and report the problem to the company.
What the safety data show
A study by insurer Swiss Re with Waymo looked at 25.3 million driverless miles. It found 88 percent fewer property damage claims and 92 percent fewer bodily injury claims than for human drivers overall [4]. The study was done with the company, and results for other companies may differ. Tesla has reported 15 crashes to federal regulators since launching its Austin service in 2025 [5].
Federal rules require companies to report crashes involving automated driving systems to NHTSA [6].
How to report a problem
- Note the car’s number or identifying marks and the time and place
- Report it to the company through its website or app
- Call police if there is a crash or immediate danger
- File a complaint with NHTSA for a safety problem with any vehicle
Checklist: sharing the road
Checklist from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
- I leave a full following distance behind robotaxis
- I signal clearly and never cut them off
- I watch for sudden stops at pickup and drop off spots
- I cross at crosswalks and make my intentions clear when walking
- I watch for opening doors when biking past stopped robotaxis
- I know how to report a problem to the company and NHTSA
Frequently asked questions
Can a robotaxi see me at night?
Its sensors work in the dark, but no system is perfect. Wear bright or reflective clothing and use lights on bikes and scooters.
Do robotaxis pull over for ambulances?
They are programmed to yield to emergency vehicles, but they have sometimes struggled. New state laws require companies to respond quickly when first responders need them to move.
Who gets the ticket if a robotaxi breaks the law?
In California, police can now send notices to the company. Rules differ by state.
Related articles
Sources and further reading
- 1Electrek. “Waymo goes driverless in Las Vegas, with Denver, San Diego, Tampa next.” July 8, 2026. electrek.co/…/waymo-driverless-las-vegas-…
- 2FOX 11 Los Angeles. “California’s robotaxi crackdown: New law allows police to cite driverless cars.” June 24, 2026. foxla.com/…/california-robotaxi-law-ab-…
- 3Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. “Automated Vehicles Regulatory Program.” txdmv.gov/AVprogram
- 4Waymo. “New Swiss Re study: Waymo” (summary of Swiss Re analysis). December 19, 2024. waymo.com/…/new-swiss-re-study-waymo
- 5Electrek. “Tesla expands unsupervised Robotaxi area in Austin with only a handful of cars.” March 31, 2026. electrek.co/…/tesla-expands-unsupervised-…
- 6Eno Center for Transportation. “2025 Autonomous Vehicles Federal Policy Wrapped.” enotrans.org/…/2025-autonomous-vehicles-fe…
This article reflects the safety priorities of road user safety and emerging vehicle technology. It is general education, not legal advice. Laws on automated vehicles change quickly, so check your state’s current rules. Reviewed November 2026.
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