Imagine a world where cars drive themselves. Cool, right? Except when things go wrong. Families of Tesla crash victims are concerned that CEO Elon Musk has too much influence over the investigations.
Relatives of people who died in Tesla crashes are sounding the alarm. They fear that the influence of Tesla CEO Elon Musk could compromise investigations into the safety of autonomous vehicles.
In a letter to US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, seven families express their concern about a possible relaxation of oversight rules for driver assistance technologies, such as Tesla's Autopilot.
Also read – Insuring your Tesla could soon cost a lot more, thanks to Elon Musk
A tug-of-war between safety and innovation
These families aren't pulling their fears out of thin air. Rumors are circulating about the possible elimination of a rule requiring manufacturers to report accidents involving autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles. A decision that would suit Tesla, the champion of reporting accidents with more than 1,800 reported accidents.
The victims' relatives are playing the emotional card, reminding Duffy of his own experience of a car accident that nearly cost his wife her life. They point out that their tragedies could have been avoided if Tesla's autonomous driving technology had been better regulated.
The figures speak for themselves: out of 45 fatal accidents reported to the national safety agency road traffic until October 2024, 40 involved Teslas. Enough to make you think about the reliability of Autopilot.
The families insist on the importance of this reporting rule, which has already led to crucial decisions. In December 2023, more than 2 million Teslas were subject to a (virtual) recall to update their software and reduce the risks associated with driver inattention.
But the shadow of Elon Musk hangs over the debate. Special advisor and major donor to Trump, his influence is worrying. The families ask Duffy to ensure that Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving investigations will continue without interference. During his confirmation hearing, Duffy promised to let the highway safety agency do its job. But between pressure from families and Musk's influence, the new Transportation Secretary will have to juggle finding the right balance between innovation and safety.
0 Comments