Three minors were observed riding with their bodies partially outside of an open window of a Waymo vehicle traveling through Santa Monica and into West Los Angeles on Friday afternoon.
Rojia Shahsavani, a local resident, reported witnessing the incident around 6 p.m. She stated that as the driverless vehicle proceeded, three boys, appearing to be between the ages of 10 and 14, were sitting on the window ledges, taking photographs and engaging with their surroundings.
Shahsavani attempted to alert the boys to sit down and subsequently contacted Waymo's customer service. She was informed by a Waymo agent that the company could stop the vehicle if a threat was detected, and that multiple cameras were monitoring the situation. Despite these assurances, the vehicle continued its journey without stopping.
The Santa Monica Police Department stated it had not received any reports regarding the incident. A spokesperson advised any witnesses to contact the department directly. Shahsavani expressed concern about the potential risks involved, given the increasing speed limits and traffic density encountered during the journey.
Shahsavani followed the Waymo until it turned off in the Rancho Park and Cheviot Hills area. She emphasized her belief that public safety measures must advance in parallel with technological innovations, particularly as such technologies become more integrated into daily life.
