During a Republican midterm convention in Dallas, a passenger experienced a tense encounter when their Waymo autonomous vehicle blocked a Secret Service motorcade. The car halted at an intersection where officers were directing traffic right, but the Waymo refused to move, waiting for remote assistance. Despite the passenger’s attempts to call support and the officer’s commands, the vehicle remained stationary, prompting a Secret Service agent to threaten to crush it. After the passenger exited the car, the agents finally coaxed the Waymo forward. Waymo later explained that the car recognized the hand signals but was programmed to await remote help for a right‑turn maneuver across multiple lanes, leading to a delay. The incident highlights the challenges of autonomous vehicles in high‑urgency scenarios, though Waymo notes its safety record remains superior to human drivers.

The company’s spokesperson emphasized ongoing refinements to handle such situations better, especially as Waymo expands into more U.S. cities where similar encounters may become more frequent.