Driverless vehicles are expected to appear in growing numbers on Dallas streets and Texas highways in 2026, but traffic safety experts warn that regulation and oversight are not keeping pace with their rapid deployment.
Robotaxis are expanding into major Texas cities, including Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, while autonomous freight trucks are expected to begin operating along heavily traveled highway corridors, sharing the road with everyday commuters and commercial traffic.
“These vehicles aren’t coming someday. They’re coming now,” said Amy Witherite, founder of Witherite Law Group and a nationally recognized traffic safety expert. “And they’re being introduced on some of the busiest streets and highways in Texas.”
While companies such as Waymo have released safety data showing promising results, Witherite says real-world conditions continue to expose weaknesses in autonomous systems.
“Serious obstacles remain when these vehicles are confronted with predictable issues like stopped school buses or power outages,” she said.
Incidents Already Playing Out Elsewhere
Autonomous vehicle deployments in other states have already produced widely documented incidents, including cars stopping unexpectedly in traffic, blocking intersections, failing to adapt to weather conditions, and improperly passing stopped school buses.
“What’s different now is that much of this is caught on video,” Witherite said. “People can see cars freezing in intersections, backing up traffic, or ignoring basic safety rules.”
Texas Becoming a Testing Ground
Texas’ relatively permissive regulatory environment has made it an attractive destination for autonomous vehicle companies. Urban streets in Dallas and surrounding cities are expected to see robotaxi service, while autonomous freight trucks are projected to operate along major interstate routes such as I-35 and I-45.
“These highways aren’t controlled test tracks,” Witherite said. “They’re crowded, high-speed corridors where mistakes can have serious consequences.”
Calls for Clear Rules and Accountability
Proponents of autonomous vehicle technology argue it has the potential to reduce crashes over time. However, safety advocates say widespread deployment must be matched with enforceable standards, transparency, and meaningful oversight.
“Innovation doesn’t mean looking the other way on safety,” Witherite said. “Texas can lead in this space, but only if we insist on clear rules, accountability, and proof these vehicles can operate safely before they become a daily presence on our roads.”
As driverless technology moves from pilot programs to everyday traffic, Witherite Law Group says that 2026 will be critical in determining how safely these vehicles integrate into Texas roadways.
