After a night out, TikToker Alaia Kolhoff (@alaia..spam) used the Waymo app to hail a driverless ride home, capturing the moment in a 10-second video that’s already racked up 7,700 views.
Posted on Aug. 23, the clip is captioned “To [sic] drunk for Waymo” and set to the viral PinkPanthress track “Illegal.” In it, Kolhoff does the familiar handshake trend that usually involves two people, only to flip the camera and reveal an empty driver’s seat where her partner would normally be.
The funny moment raises a bigger question: Just how safe is it to be drunk in a Waymo?
What is Waymo?
Waymo is the world’s first fully autonomous public ride-hailing service. With a stated mission to be the world’s most trusted driver, Waymo’s self-driving vehicles use cameras, radars, and sensors that provide a safe driverless ride from pickup to destination.
The Legal Side of Riding Drunk
Here’s the good news: Riding drunk in a Waymo isn’t illegal. DUI laws exist to prevent impaired individuals from operating a vehicle. Since Waymo handles all the driving, a tipsy passenger isn’t breaking those rules as long as they stay out of the driver’s seat.
In fact, Waymo promotes its service as a safer alternative for anyone who might otherwise risk getting behind the wheel.
That said, Waymo strictly prohibits consuming alcohol or having open containers in the vehicle, and violations can lead to ride termination and a ban from the service.
Waymo’s Safety Record
With 92% fewer bodily injury claims and 88% fewer property damage claims over 25 million miles, Swiss Re, one of the world’s largest reinsurers, found Waymo to be significantly safer than human-driven cars.
With advanced sensors that provide a 360-degree view and real-time response to traffic, the system offers a level of vigilance no tipsy human could match, making it a far safer option for anyone who’s had one drink too many.
Safe … With a Few Caveats
But “safe” doesn’t mean risk-free. Without a human driver, there’s no one to assist if a passenger gets sick, passes out, or needs help in an emergency. A heavily intoxicated rider could struggle to manage the ride alone or respond to unexpected situations. To stay on the safe side, passengers should make sure they enter the correct destination and consider having someone ready to meet them when they arrive. Waymo’s support team is also available throughout the ride for any assistance needed.
