What's Happening?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into Tesla for delays in reporting crashes involving its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems. According to NHTSA, Tesla has sometimes waited months to report these incidents, despite being required to do so within five days of notification. Tesla claims the delays were due to a data collection error, which has now been fixed. The investigation will assess the cause of these delays and whether Tesla has submitted all required data.
Why It's Important?
This investigation is significant as it highlights potential compliance issues with Tesla's reporting practices, which could impact public trust in its autonomous driving technology. Accurate and timely reporting is crucial for assessing the safety of these systems. The outcome could influence regulatory measures and affect Tesla's reputation and market position, especially as it leads in level 2 ADAS crash data reporting.
What's Next?
NHTSA will conduct an audit to evaluate Tesla's compliance with legal requirements and determine if any reports remain outstanding. The agency will also review the completeness of submitted data. Depending on the findings, Tesla may face regulatory actions or be required to implement further changes to its reporting processes.
