Everybody loves Waymo
Published October 08, 2025
The Facts
Our latest polling shows an overwhelming majority of San Franciscans support autonomous vehicles. Support has surged to 67%, up dramatically compared to just 44% in 2023. Opposition has collapsed from 51% to just 29%.
The #1 reason people say they support autonomous vehicles is their safe driving.
The Context
Public support for autonomous vehicles has been stop-and-go in San Francisco. While many residents were excited about the technology when it was first introduced, many others expressed concerns. A few high-profile incidents, particularly with Cruise, contributed to this skepticism.
In 2023, some anti-technology activists placed traffic cones on Waymo hoods to try to sabotage the cars. Today, Waymo has driven nearly 30 million miles in San Francisco, and almost 100 million miles overall, while experiencing a fraction of the crashes compared to human drivers.
Peer-reviewed research based on 56 million miles of driving shows Waymo vehicles experience 82% fewer crashes with bikers and motorcyclists and 92% fewer crashes with pedestrians than human drivers. University of San Francisco researcher Billy Riggs notes that sophisticated autonomy creates "rapid, exponential adoption" once people experience the safety firsthand.
The GrowSF Take
We have never seen such a dramatic and rapid shift in public opinion about any issue.
This shift highlights two things about human nature: people are naturally cautious about new technology, but quickly change their minds as they get used to it. Waymo's consistent safety record has won over skeptics and turned them into supporters.
We think this offers a lesson for San Francisco government: don't be afraid to embrace innovation, even if it seems controversial at first. Over time, the benefits will become clear, and public opinion will shift in your favor.