Waymo’s Self-Driving Cars Are Causing a Ruckus in Santa Monica

Santa Monica, California, residents want Waymo to leave town. The self-driving cars are becoming a local irritation and prompting protests, and local officials are hoping to calm the situation.

Residents of the West Coast town have been complaining to the city and Waymo about excessive noise caused by the self-driving cars. The company’s parking lots have been the most bothersome.

“I thought it was cool, and then those freaking noises started,” said Darius Boorn, who lives next to one of the lots, per the Los Angeles Times. “And then I thought, ‘Oh no, this can’t be happening.’”

Some locals have taken the protests beyond phone calls by placing traffic cones, cars, and even themselves in front of the company’s parking lot. At times, orange cones have been situated on the street near the parking lots, confusing the cars and making them stop. Random vehicles have been parked in front of parking lot entrances, keeping the Waymo cars out. Dubbed “stacking the Waymos,” several residents walk in front of a self-driving car, forcing a backup of several Waymo vehicles.

Santa Monica Didn’t Know Waymo Was a Problem

Per government regulations, self-driving cars must make an audible sound whenever they drive in reverse — just like big trucks. The vehicles need to beep when they maneuver around each other, pick up and drop off passengers, and as they jockey for positions at charging stations.

Santa Monica officials looked into the situation and reportedly didn’t know Waymo had set up shop in the neighborhood. Purportedly, the company isn’t required to notify the city as long as the parking lot is rented from a third party.

“What particularly surprised and concerned us is that this site had never come up as a Waymo hub or parking/charging location on any of our previous check-in calls — yet there is clearly a substantial Waymo operation occurring out of these lots that is drawing concern,” wrote Santa Monica’s director of transit services, Anuj Gupta, in a Feb. 11 email, according to the LA Times.

Per FOX Business, the company has acknowledged the ongoing issues. Santa Monica officials and the Alphabet-owned company are working on a plan to minimize the noise and keep residents happy. Waymo has also begun changing the hours workers are at the lots, positioning trees around to reduce noise, and even buying muted vacuums.

“We strive to be good neighbors in the cities that we operate and are committed to being a positive presence in Santa Monica,” a company spokesperson stated.