Congressman Seeks Tesla Autopilot Probe After 43 Videos

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat, is urging Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to investigate whether Tesla’s safeguards adequately prevent misuse of Autopilot and Full Self-Driving. His request follows an NBC News review identifying 43 videos that appear to show drivers asleep or otherwise disengaged in moving Teslas, including 17 posted this year. Krishnamoorthi asked whether regulators have tested the systems when cabin cameras are obstructed or drivers wear sunglasses and hats, and criticized an in-car warning that may appear to encourage use of FSD when drowsiness is detected. Tesla says both systems require continuous driver attention and are not autonomous, while its newer software includes improved monitoring for sunglasses. NHTSA is already conducting an engineering analysis of roughly 3.2 million Tesla vehicles after a 2023 recall involving Autopilot safeguards; the agency has identified crashes and incidents that could ultimately lead to further action or a recall.