The Futuristn January of this year, the solo ride I took in a Waymo driverless vehicle in December 2024 went unexpectedly viral, racking up over 1 billion views across news outlets and social platforms worldwide. That moment turned me—Mike Johns the futurist—into the “face” of the autonomous vehicle movement. In that ride, people saw possibility, progress, panic, and everything in between. I was called brave, foolish, futuristic, and fearless—all in the same comment thread.
Now, the question of trust around driverless vehicles just got a whole lot more personal.
Waymo recently announced it is allowing teens aged 14 to 17 in Phoenix to ride alone in fully autonomous cars. NBC Nightly News covered the development, interviewing excited high schoolers and relieved parents who found the extra independence and safety benefits to be life-changing. Collaborations with groups like SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) make it clear that Waymo is serious about creating safer teen mobility.
Before my unfortunate “driving in circles” incident, I would have been among the first to sign my own son up for a ride. We even talked about him using Waymo as part of our back-to-school transportation plan …
But after my harrowing experience and being inundated on social media with unfiltered feedback from other everyday people with similar experiences—my decision flipped real fast.
Hell to the no. Not Right Now.
Because While The Headlines Talk About Tech… The Comments Tell a Different Story
Much of the nation saw NBC’s hopeful story about AVs and teens. I saw that too—but I also saw the comment section of the NBC segment on their YouTube channel. That’s where the real conversation is happening. Here’s what everyday people are saying online:
- “So, who is responsible if a child gets hurt or killed in a driverless car?” — @shawnkerr
- “We’re not ready for driverless cars.” — @hodown1735
- “With a self-driving car, when it gets pulled over, who is the police going to ask questions?” — @TheUltimateIQChallenge
- “I would never let my child get in a driverless car.” — @Jewelfountain
- “I’m sorry, I’m not letting my daughter or grandson get in a Johnny Cab.” — @Fireball76-lz4pp
- “Can your child change the destination in route? This is proof of how negligent parents are today.” — @jayvincent1865
These aren’t just trolls or Luddites. These are moms, dads, caregivers, tech workers, and community members asking real, necessary questions about safety, accountability, and control.
And those questions matter more when a 14-year-old is riding alone in a 4,000-pound robot on wheels.
The Street View Is Even More Alarming
Another NBC investigation from the Bay Area shed light on a more troubling aspect of AVs: street-level safety. According to the report, 1 in 4 school crossing guards say they’ve had a “close call” with an autonomous vehicle. Some described having to wave wildly or even jump back out of the way when the car didn’t properly interpret the stop sign they held.
How can I put my kid in one of these vehicles knowing that they don’t even respond appropriately to school crossing guards? The tech may be licensed, but real trust has not yet been earned at eye level—on curbs, at corners, and in communities.
I’m a Tech Advocate—But Also a Dad
I’m not here to dismiss the incredible progress being made. I’ve seen the benefits of AVs firsthand. I’ve ridden in them, celebrated their accessibility, and shared the hope they bring.
But I’m also a father. And there’s a huge difference between riding alone as an adult and putting your child in the back seat of a car with no driver, controlled by remote support, sensors, and AI.
This is why—for now—my son won’t be riding one. Not to school. Not to the mall. Not until there’s more clarity, more accountability, and more proof that our streets and our systems are ready for kids to ride solo.
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Mike Johns Futurist. Father. Advocate for AI, tech equity, trust and transparency. Always asking the real questions in a world moving fast.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect the official stance of Consumer AI Protection Advocates (CAIPA).
CAIPA’s mission is to empower consumers by advocating for responsible AI practices that safeguard consumer rights and interests across various sectors, including electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous vehicles (AVs), and robotics.
