President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team plans to eliminate a regulation requiring automakers to report crashes involving automated driving systems, according to Reuters.
The move aligns with Tesla’s opposition to the rule, as Tesla accounts for most incidents reported under the regulation.
Key Details
- The regulation, introduced in 2021, mandates automakers to report crashes involving automated systems active within 30 seconds of an accident, as stated in a document obtained by Reuters.
- The transition team is urging the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to end the order, suggesting more flexible regulations to support innovation in the autonomous vehicle industry.
- While Tesla has not publicly criticized the rule, sources claim the company opposes it, arguing the NHTSA’s data presentation misleads consumers about its safety record.
- The NHTSA warns that its data shouldn’t be used to compare automakers, as reporting methods vary. Tesla believes its data is more comprehensive than other companies.
Notable Statistic
Since June 2021, the NHTSA has logged 3,979 crashes involving automated driving systems. Tesla reported 1,570 of these incidents (57%), including two fatal crashes in 2023 linked to its “Autopilot” feature.
Criticism
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group representing major automakers (excluding Tesla), has long opposed the order.
They argue the NHTSA’s data collection methods don’t effectively assess automated driving safety.
Unanswered Questions
It’s unclear if Elon Musk influenced the recommendation to end the regulation.
Musk, who invested over $250 million in Trump’s election campaign, has been a vocal supporter of the president-elect and appeared with him during the campaign.
Background
Tesla’s automated systems have faced regulatory scrutiny for years. Despite branding “Autopilot” as a driver-assist feature, Tesla advises users to remain attentive and keep their hands on the wheel.
In December 2023, Tesla recalled 2 million vehicles to address a flaw in Autopilot’s ability to detect driver engagement. Post-recall crashes led to further NHTSA investigations.