DOT must not give Tesla or other automakers a free pass, advocates say

Consumer advocates and the families of Tesla crash victims both called on Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy this week not to weaken oversight of the automotive industry. As with other government agencies, since the change of administrations in January, much of the messaging from the Department of Transportation has been on overturning regulations on industry and weakening oversight and consumer protection to create a "level... playing field."

On Tuesday, seven family members of people killed or seriously injured as a result of Tesla's Autopilot driver assist wrote to Sec. Duffy with a particular concern: that he not overturn the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Standing General Order that requires automakers or operators to report vehicle crashes that occurred while using a partially automated driving system (like Tesla Autopilot or FSD) or an autonomous driving system (like Waymo's robotaxis).

In particular, the families are concerned that Duffy will give special treatment to Tesla's Elon Musk, who these days is busier poking his fingers into all corners of the federal government than he is running Tesla or SpaceX.

Read full article

Comments