Trump transition team recommends axing car-crash reporting rule favored by Tesla

From Investing.com: 2024-12-15 05:21:33

The Trump transition team aims to scrap a car-crash reporting requirement, favored by Tesla’s Elon Musk, that helps regulators monitor the safety of vehicles with automated-driving systems. Tesla has reported over 1,500 crashes. Musk, who helped Trump get elected, may have influenced the team’s recommendation. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation also criticizes the rule.

NHTSA crash data reveals Tesla was involved in 40 out of 45 fatal crashes reported. The data is crucial for evaluating the safety of emerging automated-driving technologies. Former NHTSA employees say the crash-reporting requirements were vital for investigations that led to 2023 recalls. Without the data, safety problems may go undetected.

The Trump transition team suggests axing the crash-reporting rule and promoting liberalized autonomous-vehicle regulations. Musk has called for a federal approval process for autonomous vehicles. After the election, Trump named Musk to co-lead a Department of Government Efficiency. Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems face scrutiny for their self-driving capabilities.

Tesla execs have discussed the need to eliminate the crash-reporting requirement with Musk. The automaker believes NHTSA presents the data in a misleading way. Tesla reports more incidents than other automakers, leading to a misconception about its safety record. NHTSA advises against comparing automakers based on crash data reporting methods.

University of South Carolina law professor Bryant Walker Smith notes that Tesla collects real-time crash data and likely reports a higher proportion of incidents than other automakers. Tesla’s higher frequency of crashes involving driver-assistance technologies may be due to more vehicles on the road equipped with such systems. Smith suggests that Tesla vehicles may encounter situations they are unable to handle.



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