Pressured by Tesla, European Regulators Keep 'Full Self-Driving' Safety Data Secret
RDW says it reviewed Tesla’s system extensively, but it will not release the safety records or testing details it used to seek EU approval.
- Four months after authorizing Tesla's Full Self-Driving system, the Netherlands' road regulator, RDW, is seeking EU-wide approval. However, the agency refuses to disclose how it evaluated the system's safety.
- Correspondence starting in late 2024 reveals Tesla repeatedly pressured RDW to withhold documentation from public disclosure. The automaker sought confirmation that specific files would "never" be released, citing an obligation to protect manufacturer-specific information.
- Frank Mutze, policy manager for the European Transport Safety Council, criticized the lack of transparency, stating the public is left to trust that authorities "have done their homework, which of course isn't good enough for us."
- Securing EU-wide authorization requires a "yes" vote from representatives of 55% of member states comprising 65% of the bloc's population. RDW claims the system is "at least as safe as other driver assistance systems," with a vote anticipated in October.
- France's transportation minister rejected Full Self-Driving last month due to concerns about speeding and driver attention. Finland's Transport and Communications Agency noted the system often makes safer decisions but questioned whether drivers could safely retake control on steep, windy roads.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Controversy is brewing as Dutch regulatory authorities, which approved Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, are pushing for its introduction across the EU without disclosing the basis for their safety assessments. Experts criticize the authorities for applying trade secrets too broadly, thereby concealing information necessary for public safety. FSD is a driver assistance system that requires the driver to keep their eyes on the road ahead.
Four months ago, the Netherlands approved Tesla's full self-driving system (FSD) and has since defended its adoption throughout the European Union (EU). But the Dutch transit regulator RDW does not inform the public why it concluded that the driver's assistance system is safe or as it assessed technology, which has been the subject of regulatory investigations and judicial proceedings in the United States for years. Disclosure of these details w…
Dutch regulator withholds Tesla FSD safety data after pressure from company, fueling suspicions about transparency of European oversight
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