Trump’s transition team is reportedly aiming to end a rule set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that requires car manufacturers to report crashes involving automated driving systems. This rule, established in 2021, was intended to collect important data to identify and address potential safety issues in advanced driver assistance technologies.
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The Standing General Order has been crucial in investigating accidents involving leading companies like Tesla and GM’s Cruise. Recently, Cruise has decided to shut down its robotaxi program, partly due to the data collected under this rule. According to sources close to Tesla, the company is against the reporting requirement, arguing that the data may mislead consumers about the safety of their vehicles. A document from Trump’s transition team suggested repealing the rule, labeling it as excessive data collection. It remains unclear if Elon Musk, who has a significant financial and political connection to Trump, was involved in this recommendation.
Tesla has reported over 1,500 crashes and was responsible for 40 out of 45 fatal crashes reported to the NHTSA. However, experts suggest that Tesla’s higher number of reported incidents could be due to:
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Having more cars equipped with advanced driver assistance systems.
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Collecting more real-time crash data than other companies.
University of South Carolina law professor Bryant Walker Smith pointed out that Tesla’s robust reporting might make their data appear disproportionate compared to other manufacturers. This detailed data collection helps in understanding the real-world performance and safety of automated systems.
The NHTSA’s crash reporting requirement plays a vital role in ensuring consumer safety by providing transparency about the performance and reliability of automated driving technologies. Without mandatory reporting, the public might lose trust in these innovations, potentially slowing their adoption and development. For example, as of May 2022, there were 392 reported crashes involving Level 2 ADAS-equipped vehicles, which are essential for understanding real-world performance and safety standards.