NHTSA Cuts Staff Amid Tesla Safety Scrutiny

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is currently investigating Tesla, has announced a 4% reduction in its staff. This move comes as the agency faces criticism for its handling of safety issues related to the electric vehicle manufacturer.

The NHTSA has been scrutinized for its response to Tesla's Autopilot system, which has been linked to several crashes. In one high-profile incident, a Tesla Model S crashed into a fire truck while using Autopilot, resulting in the death of the driver. The NHTSA has been criticized for not taking more aggressive action against Tesla, despite the growing number of incidents involving the company's vehicles.

The agency's decision to cut 4% of its staff has raised concerns about its ability to effectively oversee the safety of vehicles on U.S. roads. Some experts have suggested that the NHTSA may be understaffed and underfunded, making it difficult for the agency to keep up with the rapid pace of technological change in the automotive industry.

Tesla, for its part, has maintained that its Autopilot system is safe and that the incidents involving its vehicles are the result of human error. The company has also criticized the NHTSA for what it sees as an overly aggressive stance towards its vehicles.

The NHTSA's investigation into Tesla is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what impact the agency's staff cuts will have on its ability to effectively oversee the safety of the company's vehicles. In the meantime, Tesla continues to sell its vehicles and expand its market share in the U.S. and around the world.