Federal safety regulators are once again looking into Tesla’s self-driving mode, the latest in a seemingly endless stream of investigations into the safety of the technology. Last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced at least the sixth investigation into Tesla vehicles using the company’s “Full Self Driving” (FSD), or other driver assist features. This probe covers dozens of dangerous driving incidents, including blowing through red lights, driving in the wrong lane of traffic, and three accidents that resulted in five injuries.
But there’s relatively little NHTSA, or any federal regulator, can do to regulate the new features Tesla introduces amid its ambitious plans to fill the country with self-driving cars and “robotaxis.” That’s because it’s not a regulator’s job to approve the technology – only to rein it in if it causes problems. American laws aren’t equipped to deal with the fast-moving ambitions of CEO Elon Musk, and Washington doesn’t seem in a hurry to regulate his company.
