The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday it’s searching for information from Elon Musk’s Tesla a couple of recent driver assistance mode dubbed “Mad Max” that operates at higher speeds than other versions.
Some drivers on social media report that Tesla vehicles using the more aggressive version of its Full Self-Driving system could operate above posted speed limits.
“NHTSA is in touch with the manufacturer to collect additional information,” the agency said. “The human behind the wheel is fully accountable for driving the vehicle and complying with all traffic safety laws.”
NHTSA earlier this month opened an investigation into 2.9 million Tesla vehicles equipped with its FSD system on account of the handfuls of reports of traffic-safety violations and crashes.
NHTSA said in opening the investigation it’s reviewing 58 reports of issues involving traffic safety violations when using FSD, including 14 crashes and 23 injuries.
Tesla didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment, but last week reposted a social media post that described Mad Max mode as accelerating and weaving “through traffic at an incredible pace, all while still being super smooth. It drives your automotive like a sports automotive. In the event you are running late, that is the mode for you.”
NHTSA said earlier this month that FSD – an assistance system that requires drivers to concentrate and intervene if needed – has “induced vehicle behavior that violated traffic safety laws.”
The agency said it has six reports wherein a Tesla vehicle, operating with FSD engaged, “approached an intersection with a red traffic signal, continued to travel into the intersection against the red light and was subsequently involved in a crash with other motorized vehicles.”
Tesla says FSD “will drive you almost anywhere together with your energetic supervision, requiring minimal intervention” but doesn’t make the automotive self-driving.
Tesla’s FSD, which is more advanced than its Autopilot system, has been under investigation by NHTSA for a yr.
In October 2024, NHTSA opened an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles with FSD after 4 collisions in conditions of reduced roadway visibility.
The Washington Post had previously reported the agency’s interest within the Mad Max mode.
