Teens in the Phoenix area now have a new way to get around — without needing a driver’s license or a ride from a parent.
Waymo has officially launched teen accounts in metro Phoenix. The program allows riders between the ages of 14 and 17 to travel alone in its self-driving cars across more than 300 square miles of The Valley.
Parents can link their teens to their own Waymo accounts, monitor trip progress in real-time and receive digital ride receipts. The company says it has also trained a special Rider Support team to assist teen passengers and alert parents if needed.
The goal, according to Waymo, is to offer a reliable and safe transportation option for families who may face barriers like busy schedules, limited access to vehicles or safety concerns about teen drivers on the road.
Scott Myers is the executive director of Students Against Destructive Decisions, or SADD — a nonprofit that advocates for traffic safety and youth prevention programs. His organization has partnered with Waymo to support the new initiative.
“They're only playing one piece,” Myers said. “But part of that is to partner up with organizations like SADD to get the additional resources and education and prevention materials in front of students through our services.”
Waymo’s rollout comes during what Myers said is one of the most dangerous times of year for teen drivers.
“We are actually in the middle of what has historically been called the 100 deadly days of summer,” he said. “Teens are actually three times more likely to be in a car crash, or sadly a deadly crash, during this time of the year.”
Myers says autonomous vehicle services like Waymo can help fill some of the gaps — especially, as he said, fewer teens pursue driver's licenses or formal driver’s ed due to cost, time or changing habits.
Waymo began offering early access to teen accounts earlier this year to test interest and gather feedback.
