Breaking News: Tesla Under Investigation for “Full Self-Driving” System Safety
A new probe has been launched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) into Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) system, citing concerns over its safety in reduced roadway visibility conditions such as fog or glare. This investigation comes on the heels of a tragic incident in which a Tesla driver using FSD struck and killed a pedestrian, as well as other FSD-involved collisions under similar conditions.
The Investigation’s Focus
The NHTSA will be assessing the FSD system’s ability to detect and respond appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions, as well as investigating any other similar crashes that may have occurred under these conditions. The agency will also examine Tesla’s over-the-air software updates to its FSD systems, including the timing, purpose, and safety impact of these updates.
Affected Vehicles
The investigation pertains to a staggering 2.4 million Tesla electric vehicles on U.S. roads, including Model S and X vehicles produced from 2016 to 2024, Model 3 vehicles produced from 2017 to 2024, Model Y vehicles produced from 2020 to 2024, and Cybertruck vehicles produced this year and last. All of these vehicles offer drivers the option to use Tesla’s FSD system.
Tesla’s FSD System Under Scrutiny
FSD, now referred to as a “partial driving automation system,” is Tesla’s premium driver assistance option. Despite being marketed as a paid feature, Tesla has previously offered it to all drivers for a month-long free trial in the U.S. The NHTSA has been tracking collisions involving the use of automakers’ advanced driver assistance systems, including Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD. As of October 1, 2024, the agency had recorded 1,399 incidents in which Tesla’s driver assistance systems were engaged within 30 seconds of the collision, resulting in 31 fatalities.
Tesla’s Response and Future Plans
Tesla has yet to respond to requests for comment on the investigation. Meanwhile, CEO Elon Musk recently announced plans to roll out “unsupervised FSD” in Texas and California next year, despite the company still struggling to produce a vehicle that is safe to use on public roads without human intervention. Musk has long promised driverless vehicles, but Tesla has yet to deliver on this promise.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
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