US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has requested that the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigate Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. The inquiry follows an NBC report identifying at least 43 instances where drivers were recorded sleeping or distracted while the system was active, with 17 of these cases occurring in 2026.
The investigation also highlights 13 documented cases in California where drivers were fined for such behavior. While Tesla's FSD is classified as a Level 2 system, requiring constant driver supervision, some users have bypassed safety protocols. Methods include wearing sunglasses to obstruct eye-tracking cameras or using physical objects to cover the interior sensors.
Tesla currently utilizes interior cameras and steering wheel sensors to monitor driver alertness and prompt intervention if necessary. However, the congressman is pushing for an assessment of whether these measures are sufficient to prevent misuse. The inquiry seeks to determine if the current data indicates a broader safety defect that could necessitate a vehicle recall.
NHTSA is already conducting a separate investigation into the performance of the FSD system across 3.2 million Tesla vehicles. The regulator must now evaluate whether Tesla's existing safety mechanisms are adequate or if the company bears responsibility for failing to prevent drivers from relinquishing control of their vehicles while the system is engaged.
