Test drivers for autonomous vehicle (AV) developers Waymo and Zoox sustained more than two dozen injuries in 2024 and 2025, according to data submitted to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). These injuries resulted from hard braking or other sudden movements made by the autonomous vehicles.
In some cases, workers experienced whiplash when AVs stopped abruptly and hard, leading to them being sidelined for months. While proponents suggest AVs will reduce crash incidents and improve road safety, this data highlights a potential cost to those involved in developing the technology.
It is considered likely that test drivers for other AV developers may also be experiencing injuries, but the companies they work for could be exempt from OSHA's reporting requirements.