If it feels like every week there’s another headline about Tesla and its run-ins with federal or state safety regulators, you’re not imagining things. These developments carry serious implications for all road users, including motorcyclists.
The latest story making the rounds involves delays in reporting crashes involving Tesla’s driver-assistance technology. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified multiple crash reports that Tesla submitted “several months or more” after the incidents occurred, a violation of federal reporting timelines.
Under current regulations, manufacturers are generally required to report such crashes within one to five days of being notified. These quick reporting requirements are designed to ensure potential safety issues are addressed before they endanger more lives.
While auto manufacturers continue to develop the technologies designed to make everyone on the road safer, it is also important to remember that we are our best safety technology. Adjusting your riding for weather/road conditions, participating in advanced riding skills training and staying alert on the roads are the best ways to avoid incidents that might otherwise occur.
According to NHTSA, the delay in Tesla’s case was “due to an issue with Tesla’s data collection,” a problem the company claims has now been fixed. Still, the agency has opened a formal audit to dig into why the delays happened and what steps Tesla is taking to make sure they don’t happen again.
Every mile we ride, we share the road with cars and increasingly, with machines making decisions behind the wheel. When systems like those used by Tesla make errors, especially ones that go unreported for months, it puts all of us at risk without our knowledge.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation has long advocated for transparent, enforceable standards when it comes to emerging vehicle technologies. Whether it’s autonomous systems, advanced driver-assistance features, or vehicle-to-vehicle communication, riders must not be an afterthought in transportation safety.
Ride safe, stay aware, and keep fighting for your right to the road.
Join The MRF — visit https://www.mrf.org/join-the-mrf
