Tesla’s Robo Taxis Face Safety Concerns as Tests Show Self-Driving Failures in Austin
Tesla’s FSD Fails to Stop for School Buses in Austin Experiment
A recent real-world test conducted by The Dawn Project, a group critical of Tesla’s autonomous technology, revealed alarming results. In six consecutive trials, a brand-new Tesla Model Y equipped with FSD failed to stop for a school bus with its stop sign extended—a clear violation of traffic laws.
“Here we have the school bus, the stop sign is out—it’s illegal to pass. And here’s a child darting out. The Tesla, still in self-driving mode, runs them over with no warning or braking.”
The experiment raises serious questions as Tesla moves forward with its robo taxi rollout, which will operate without a human driver.
Tesla’s Response & NHTSA Investigation
Despite requests for comment, Tesla has not responded to these safety concerns. On social media, CEO Elon Musk tentatively announced that robo taxis will begin transporting paying customers on June 22, though he acknowledged potential delays due to the company being “super paranoid about safety.”
Musk also stated that the robo taxis will use a newer FSD version than the one tested. However, critics remain skeptical.
“I don’t put much stock in what Tesla claims they’ll do with this new software,” said a safety advocate.
Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into Tesla following four crashes involving Teslas in low-visibility conditions while in Full Self-Driving mode. The agency has demanded Tesla explain its autonomous system’s safety mechanisms by June 19.
Regulatory & Public Safety Concerns
A former NHTSA senior safety adviser warned:
“People don’t realize how much danger they’re in—this is an unprecedented experiment with robotic technology.”
While the agency could block Tesla’s autonomous vehicle plans, experts doubt such action will be taken under the current administration.
Tesla’s Efforts to Withhold Safety Data
Adding to the controversy, Reuters reports that Tesla has lobbied to keep communications with Austin officials private, even involving the Texas Attorney General’s office. This follows NHTSA’s ongoing investigation into the company.
Tesla is also fighting a legal battle to prevent the release of government-held crash data, arguing it could cause “competitive harm.”
Are Other Autonomous Vehicles Safer?
Despite concerns over Tesla, autonomous vehicle experts note that other self-driving technologies on the road show greater promise in safety and reliability.
As Tesla pushes forward with its robo taxi ambitions, the debate over autonomous vehicle safety continues.
Dylan McKim | Austin, TX