Tesla Hit For Faulty Autopilot That Killed 17

Tesla is allowing some drivers to use its Autopilot driver-assist system for extended periods without requiring them to place their hands on the steering wheel, raising concerns among US safety regulators, Tom Krisher reported for the Associated Press (AP).

The Austin, Texas-based company has been instructed to explain the reason for installing the software update. I Photo: Tesla

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has ordered Tesla to provide information on how many vehicles have received a software update enabling this behavior.

The government has been investigating Autopilot for incidents involving collisions with emergency vehicles on freeways, as well as accidents involving motorcycles and tractor-trailers.

A formal probe into these incidents was initiated in 2021, and since 2016, investigators have been dispatched to 35 Tesla crashes, resulting in at least 17 fatalities. Despite requests for comments on these crashes from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Tesla CEO Elon Musk has declined to respond.

The letter addressed to Tesla's Senior Legal Director, Dinna Eskin, instructs the Austin, Texas-based company to explain the reason for installing the software update. It also seeks reports of accidents and near misses involving vehicles equipped with the software update.

The letter states, "Your response should include any plans to enable the subject software in consumer vehicles within the next calendar year."

Tesla has until August 25 for a company representative to provide a sworn response to the letter; otherwise, the matter will be referred to the Justice Department, which has the authority to seek a maximum penalty exceeding $131 million.

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