Markey & Blumenthal Statement on NHTSA Investigation of Tesla’s Autopilot System

Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

Washington (August 16, 2021) – U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), members of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, issued the following joint statement after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot system following a number of crashes at first responder sites:

“NHTSA is rightly investigating Tesla’s Autopilot after a series of concerning crashes. This probe must be swift, thorough, and transparent to ensure driver and public safety. It should inform the agency’s recommendations on fixes the company must implement to improve the safety of its automated driving and driver assistance technology and prevent future crashes, as we urged in April. We look forward to reviewing the agency’s findings.”

In April, Markey and Blumenthal sent a letter to NHTSA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), calling for federal investigators to conduct an in-depth probe into a deadly Texas crash, and to develop recommendations for how automated driving and driving assistance systems like Tesla’s Autopilot can be improved. The full text of the letter can be found here.

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