Two US senators urged the car security regulator on Monday to research reported failures of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system to detect and safely reply to railroad crossings, citing dangers of “catastrophic” collisions.
On its web site Tesla says the system permits a car to drive occupants “virtually wherever,” dealing with every part from route navigation to lane modifications, steering and parking, though it nonetheless requires supervision by a human driver.
Democratic Senators Ed Markey and Richard Blumenthal cited a rising variety of reported near-collisions of their name for an investigation by the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration.
“A miscalculation at a prepare crossing can result in catastrophic, multi-fatality collisions involving car occupants, prepare passengers, and rail staff,” the senators wrote in a letter launched to the general public.
The impression of such errors would far outweigh harmful errors like a missed visitors signal or an unlawful lane change, they added.
Tesla didn’t reply to a request for remark.
In an announcement, the regulator stated it had obtained the letter and was gathering data on such incidents.
It added that whereas the Tesla system supplied help to the motive force in steering, braking, and acceleration controls in sure conditions, it required the motive force to maintain operational management always.
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system, which is extra superior than its Autopilot system, has already been below investigation by NHTSA.
In October 2024, the company started an inquiry into 2.4 million Tesla autos outfitted with FSD after 4 reported collisions in situations of diminished roadway visibility, similar to solar glare, fog or airborne mud, together with a 2023 deadly crash.
The senators urged NHTSA to think about curbs on Tesla’s use of the system.
“The company ought to contemplate clear and apparent actions to guard the general public, together with limiting Tesla’s FSD to the street and climate situations it was designed to function in,” they stated.
Telsa’s different automated car options have additionally drawn company scrutiny.
In January it started an investigation into 2.6 million Tesla autos over stories of crashes involving a function that lets customers transfer their automobiles remotely.
NHTSA can also be reviweing Tesla’s deployment of self-driving robotaxis in Austin, Texas, launched in June, telling the corporate in a July 1 electronic mail it wished to know if Tesla workers might remotely drive the autos.
