Self-driving car merges onto train tracks and heads straight toward oncoming train, so passenger does the only thing they can

A Waymo passenger was caught on camera sprinting away from a self-driving car after it mistakenly turned onto newly built train tracks and continued rolling forward as a train approached, creating a heart-stopping moment that quickly went viral. The incident reignited concerns about how autonomous vehicles handle unexpected or rapidly changing road conditions.

Self-driving cars have surged in popularity in recent years. After Tesla helped push the concept into the mainstream, other major players such as Nvidia and Mercedes-Benz have joined forces to develop their own AI-powered vehicles, promising a future where technology takes the wheel and human error is largely eliminated.

On paper, the idea is compelling: replace distracted, tired, or reckless drivers with artificial intelligence capable of making flawless, split-second decisions. In practice, however, the technology remains a work in progress. According to Dexerto, this incident was one more example how autonomous vehicles struggle in real life scenarios. 

Self-driving technology still faces real-world challenges

One Waymo passenger experienced this problem firsthand during a trip on January 14, 2026. Since there was no driver in the front seat to fix the error, the self-driving car ended up stuck on train tracks in Phoenix, Arizona. A video taken by someone nearby showed a passenger getting out of the car onto a busy road. The reason they got out was clear: their self-driving car was on train tracks and driving toward a train heading their way.

Even after the passenger left the vehicle, the Waymo car kept moving forward on the tracks, getting closer to the train. Other cars stopped and turned to watch what was happening. While this passenger managed to escape safely, bizarre encounters on trains can sometimes take unexpected turns.

This specific light rail track was built in that spot less than a year ago. This might explain why the self-driving car mistook it for a normal road. The car stayed on the tracks for several minutes, forcing “Light rail operations staff” to take action, a spokesperson said. 

To prevent a crash, “northbound and southbound trains exchanged passengers before reversing direction to continue service.” Train passengers occasionally face unsettling situations during their commutes, though usually not involving self-driving cars. 

In the end, there were “no significant delays,” and the car got off the tracks “within 15 minutes.” Waymo’s own reports claim its self-driving cars have caused 411 fewer injury-causing crashes, an 81% reduction since they started operating.