NHTSA Probes Tesla's Full Self-Driving Risks: Pedestrian Safety Under the Spotlight

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has officially launched an investigation into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. The focus of the investigation is on the safety mechanisms of the FSD system, particularly its ability to ensure that drivers can regain control if the autonomous features encounter situations they cannot handle.

The investigation covers approximately 2.41 million Tesla vehicles, including various models from 2016 to 2024. Tesla has disclosed that about half of its vehicle owners currently utilize the FSD system, and this number is growing.

NHTSA’s investigation stems from incidents involving the activation of the FSD, particularly four crashes where visibility was reduced, resulting in one pedestrian fatality. The regulatory body aims to evaluate the system’s detection and response capabilities under such conditions. These incidents underscore concerns about the FSD's ability to detect pedestrians and obstacles when visibility is compromised.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has often promoted a pure vision approach for self-driving, avoiding more costly sensor technologies. However, the recent NHTSA report highlights that these accidents occurred in conditions like sun glare and fog, where traditional sensors might perform better than cameras alone.

This investigation follows a history of scrutiny over Tesla’s driving assistance systems, including its Autopilot feature. NHTSA has previously pushed for improvements in these systems’ safety via recalls and investigations, as it continues to assess the effectiveness of Tesla's corrective measures.

The scrutiny of the FSD system arrives at a challenging time for Tesla, as it navigates the complexities of expanding into the autonomous taxi service market. The outcome of this investigation could significantly impact Tesla's ambitions in this area, including the future deployment of its Robotaxi fleet, which relies heavily on the development of fully autonomous driving technologies.