Tag: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tesla Pushes Forward on Self-Driving Vehicle Software

Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the end of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta software earlier this week. “Version 12 won’t be beta,” Musk wrote on Twitter on June 27 in response to an FSD beta user who asked, “FSD Beta 12 ‘maybe later this year.’” While Musk provided no further detail or possible timeline, his…


Senate Republicans Raise Alarm Over Biden Highway Nominee

Senate Republicans are raising the alarm over President Joe Biden’s choice to head the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA), who has a track record of fringe positions on climate issues. In a letter (pdf) led by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Republicans warned of nominee Ann Carlson’s “past record of promoting green energy mandates for the automobile…


US Traffic Deaths, Once in Decline, Continue to Rise in 2022

DETROIT—U.S. traffic fatalities began to climb two years ago and that deadly trend is continuing in 2022. Roadway deaths rose 7 percent during the first three months of the year to 9,560 people, the highest number for a first quarter in two decades, according to estimates by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Traffic deaths…


US Approves New Headlights That Won’t Blind Oncoming Drivers

DETROIT—Anyone who has ever been temporarily blinded by high-beam headlights from an oncoming car will be happy to hear this. U.S. highway safety regulators are about to allow new high-tech headlights that can automatically tailor beams so they focus on dark areas of the road and don’t create glare for oncoming drivers. The National Highway…


Hyundai, Kia Tell Owners of Nearly 485,000 Recalled Vehicles To Park Outside Due to Fire Risk

Hyundai and Kia are urging customers of nearly 485,000 recalled vehicles to park outside and away from other vehicles or structures due to a risk of fire, even when engines are turned off. According to a statement from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the two Korean automakers have identified an increased risk of an…


NHTSA Opens Preliminary Investigation Into Infotainment System in 580,000 Tesla Cars

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Dec 22. that it has opened a formal investigation into Tesla over the safety of its front center touchscreen that could allow drivers to play video games while the vehicle is in motion. The U.S. auto safety regulator said that it is looking into 580,000 Tesla…


US Probes Whether Ford Was Slow to Recall Backup Cameras

DETROIT—U.S. highway safety regulators are investigating whether Ford acted quickly enough when it recalled more than 620,000 vehicles last year to fix faulty rear-view cameras. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also says it will look into whether the automaker should have recalled more vehicles. Documents posted Friday on the agency’s website say Ford began…


Officials: Tesla in Fatal California Crash Was on Autopilot

LOS ANGELES—A Tesla involved in a fatal crash on a Southern California freeway last week was operating on Autopilot at the time, authorities said. The May 5 crash in Fontana, a city 50 miles east of Los Angeles, is under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The probe is the 29th case involving…


Officials: Tesla Autopilot Probed in Fatal California Crash

LOS ANGELES—A Tesla involved in a fatal crash on a Southern California freeway last week may have been operating on Autopilot before the wreck, according to the California Highway Patrol. The May 5 crash in Fontana, a city 50 miles east of Los Angeles, is also under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration….


US Agency Opens 2 Safety Probes of Volkswagen, Audi Vehicles

DETROIT—The U.S. government’s road safety agency has opened two investigations into problems with Volkswagen vehicles, including one that alleges serious gasoline leaks under the hood. Details of the probes, which cover nearly 215,000 vehicles, were posted Friday on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website. The largest investigation covers more than 191,000 VW Atlas SUVs…