Alamo Heights parents are voicing concerns after video footage captured a Waymo robotaxi driving the wrong way in a school zone.<\/p>\n
In footage shared with\u00a0KSAT-TV<\/a>, the vehicle is seen driving the wrong direction down Townsend Avenue on Wednesday morning as parents dropped their children off at Cambridge Elementary School.<\/p>\n The video was taken by parent Pam Antal, who told the news station that a police officer directing traffic tried unsuccessfully to redirect the Waymo before it drove into oncoming traffic. She called the incident “scary and dangerous.”<\/p>\n Alamo Heights Independent School District said Thursday that the safety of its students, staff and families is a top priority.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Campus and district leaders have been in communication with our law enforcement partners since being made aware of this incident by concerned parents,” the district said in a statement. “The Alamo Heights Police Department contacted Waymo about geofencing the area around Cambridge during drop off and pick up times. During those times, the streets around Cambridge are one-way for traffic. Law enforcement is present each day and assisting during drop off and pick up times.”<\/p>\n Waymo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n The company was forced to issue a software recall late last year after Austin Independent School District officials reported that\u00a0Waymo vehicles were illegally passing stopped school buses<\/a>. Even after the update, district officials said additional citations have been issued for the continuing problem.<\/p>\n The company began testing routes in San Antonio in May. It\u00a0launched driverless taxi services in February for “select riders” who downloaded the Waymo app, with full service expected to open later this year.<\/p>\n The local service area spans 60 square miles between Interstate 10 and Loop 410, encompassing downtown, the arena district and part of the North Side.<\/p>\n Service expanded further Tuesday, when San Antonio International Airport became the first in Texas<\/a> where travelers can be dropped off or picked up by a Waymo vehicle.<\/p>\n The launch has not been without scrutiny from residents in South Central Texas who have reported concerns about loitering vehicles<\/a> and interference with public safety.<\/p>\n The San Antonio Police Department has received at least eight calls concerning Waymo vehicles since they arrived in the area, although none caused major safety risks.<\/p>\n