US senators seek review of Tesla Full Self-Driving safety data after Reuters report

• Senators Markey and Blumenthal gave NHTSA a July 7 deadline to answer whether it has evaluated Tesla's FSD safety claims or requested underlying crash data
• Reuters found Tesla inflates safety data by comparing FSD airbag-deployment crashes to all U.S. vehicle crashes (including minor accidents) and comparing new Teslas to much older average U.S. vehicles with fewer safety features
• Tesla has presented the same inflated safety statistics to European regulators while seeking EU approval for Full Self-Driving

Summary: US Senators Request Tesla FSD Safety Review Following Reuters Investigation

Key Development:

Two Democratic senators, Edward Markey (Massachusetts) and Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut), have formally requested the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) review Tesla's self-published safety data for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) driver-assistance system.

Trigger:

The request follows a Reuters investigation revealing that Tesla and CEO Elon Musk have been exaggerating FSD safety claims, asserting the technology is up to 10 times safer than human drivers.

Critical Findings:

According to Reuters' examination and independent researchers, Tesla's methodology is fundamentally flawed:

• Tesla compares FSD crashes involving airbag deployments against all U.S. vehicle crashes, including minor accidents, creating an unfair comparison
• The company benchmarks its vehicles against the average U.S. vehicle, which is significantly older than typical Teslas and lacks modern safety features
• These methodological issues result in misleading safety statistics

Regulatory Action:

The senators' June 16 letter to NHTSA requests a response by July 7, asking:

• Whether the agency has evaluated Tesla's FSD safety claims
• If NHTSA has requested underlying crash data from Tesla
• The senators also urge strengthened reporting requirements for self-driving and advanced driver-assistance systems

Broader Implications:

Tesla has reportedly presented these contested safety statistics to European regulators while seeking EU approval for FSD, potentially affecting international expansion plans.

Response:

Both Tesla and NHTSA have not responded to requests for comment.

This development adds regulatory pressure on Tesla regarding transparency and accuracy in autonomous driving safety claims, potentially impacting investor confidence and product approval timelines.