Feds investigate Tesla's Full Self-Driving safety after pedestrian death
- The NHTSA has launched an investigation into Tesla's Full Self-Driving feature after multiple accidents, including one fatality involving a pedestrian.
- The inquiry focuses on incidents where vehicles with FSD were involved in crashes in low-visibility conditions and raised concerns about the technology's adherence to traffic safety laws.
- Tesla's reputation and the safety of autonomous vehicles are now under scrutiny as investigations and regulatory actions could impact the company's future growth and market confidence.
In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature following at least one fatal accident involving a pedestrian. This investigation pertains to four accidents where vehicles using the FSD encountered crashes after entering areas with reduced visibility due to environmental conditions such as sun glare and fog. The probe coincides with concerns raised about the safety protocols of the FSD technology, which is marketed as an $8,000 option requiring drivers to remain attentive and ready to take control at any moment. Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, has claimed that the FSD feature is safer than traditional human driving and has proposed future plans for fully autonomous vehicles without conventional driving controls. Despite these assurances and plans for a fleet of autonomous 'robotaxis', investor confidence appears to have waned, as demonstrated by a nearly 9% drop in Tesla's shares following recent announcements. This isn't Tesla's first encounter with regulatory scrutiny; the NHTSA previously ordered a recall in February 2023 affecting over 360,000 vehicles due to safety concerns associated with FSD. The agency highlighted the inadequate adherence to traffic laws, citing safety risks when vehicles approached intersections. These findings have raised significant questions about the reliability of FSD technology and the implications it has for road safety. Overall, the ongoing investigation exemplifies the complex dynamics between regulatory bodies, technological advancements, and public safety in the rapidly evolving landscape of autonomous driving.