According to a report from ReutersPresident-elect Donald Trump’s team is trying to kill a rule put in place by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that requires car manufacturers to report crashes if advanced driver assistance technologies or automated driving systems were used within 30 seconds of an accident. NHTSA issued a Standing General Order in 2021, stating that its purpose is to collect data that can help identify potential safety issues.
The data has been used in crash investigations involving six companies so far, including Tesla and GM’s Cruise (which is shutting down its robotics program as of this week). Tesla “defies” the reporting requirement and believes the data could mislead consumers, Reuters reports, citing sources close to Tesla executives. In the text seen by ReutersThe reform team tasked with crafting a 100-day auto policy plan has reportedly recommended that the incoming administration scrap the requirement, saying it requires “excessive” data collection.
It is not known whether Elon Musk – who donated more than $250 million to help Trump get elected and was chosen to lead the new “Department of Government Operations” along with Vivek Ramaswamy – had a hand in the recommendation. Tesla has reported more than 1,500 accidents, and had 40 of the 45 fatal accidents reported to NHTSA, Reuters reports. But, according to University of South Carolina law professor Bryant Walker Smith, who spoke to him ReutersTesla has more cars on the road with advanced driver assistance technology and collects real-time crash data than other companies, which can account for a disproportionate number of reported incidents.
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