The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) contacted Tesla after videos surfaced showing its robotaxis in Austin, Texas, violating traffic laws. These robotaxis, part of a limited rollout of a paid ride service, are equipped with an unsupervised version of Tesla's Full Self-Driving software. The NHTSA confirmed it's investigating to ensure compliance with safety standards, emphasizing that it doesn't pre-approve technologies but investigates potential safety defects. Videos show instances of speeding, lane violations, and unexplained braking near police vehicles.

Prepared by Jonathan Pierce and reviewed by editorial team.