Families of individuals killed or seriously injured in Tesla crashes have expressed serious concerns over potential interference in investigations into the company’s self-driving technology. They have written to the Department of Transportation (DOT), urging Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to ensure that the influence of Tesla CEO Elon Musk does not affect ongoing investigations into the company’s autonomous vehicle systems.
These families, seven in total, have asked the DOT to maintain an impartial stance, especially regarding the possible repeal of a crucial rule that requires companies to report vehicle crashes involving assisted technology, including self-driving systems like Tesla’s Autopilot. This rule, initially enforced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is under scrutiny as some fear that the growing influence of Musk within the current administration could lead to regulatory changes that might reduce oversight of Tesla’s technology.
The families sent their letter expressing deep concerns about the potential weakening of oversight on autonomous vehicle systems. In the letter, they wrote, "We are deeply concerned that NHTSA’s oversight of autonomous vehicle (AV) systems may be weakened."
Their fears are tied to Musk's increased influence in political circles, which they fear could lead to more lenient regulations for Tesla and other companies involved in the development of self-driving technology.
Musk, who has long been vocal about his desire to speed up the development of autonomous vehicles, has also been a critic of the NHTSA’s investigations into Tesla. His frustration stems from the belief that the agency’s actions are impeding the progress of his company’s self-driving innovations.
Musk has gone on record accusing the NHTSA of stalling progress by scrutinizing the company’s autonomous systems too closely. His stance has raised concerns about the regulatory environment for autonomous vehicles and whether the safety of the public might be compromised in the name of innovation.
The investigation into Tesla’s self-driving technology intensified after several crashes involving the company’s vehicles in recent years. The NHTSA had opened probes into the driverless feature of Tesla cars, particularly following allegations of crashes that occurred while the system was active.
These investigations have continued into early 2025, as the agency works to determine the role of Tesla’s Autopilot system in these accidents.
In October of last year and again in January of 2025, the NHTSA confirmed that it was investigating Tesla’s driverless system in connection with several crash incidents. This follows reports from the families of victims who have been involved in accidents where Tesla’s autonomous driving technology may have played a role.
The families claim that the self-driving system failed to prevent accidents that resulted in severe injuries and fatalities, raising serious concerns about the technology’s reliability and safety.
The families' letter to the DOT comes amid fears that the Trump administration’s influence could lead to the rollback of regulations that hold companies like Tesla accountable for crashes involving autonomous systems. Specifically, they are concerned about the potential repeal of a rule requiring companies to report crashes involving driver assistance technologies.
This regulation, which was created to ensure that NHTSA maintains proper oversight of the industry, could be repealed as part of broader efforts to reduce regulations on autonomous vehicle manufacturers.
As the families expressed in their letter, they are deeply worried that Musk’s growing influence on the administration could lead to changes in how autonomous vehicle crashes are reported and investigated. Musk’s well-documented interactions with the administration, including his close ties with certain political figures, have fueled concerns that he might be able to influence the outcome of regulatory decisions.
These concerns are further heightened by the fact that the Trump administration has made moves to reduce the scope of federal oversight in many areas, including the regulation of autonomous vehicles.
In addition to their concerns about regulatory changes, the families also expressed frustration over the apparent lack of progress in holding Tesla accountable for the accidents involving its vehicles. They feel that the continued focus on reducing oversight could further undermine the agency’s ability to investigate these incidents thoroughly.
The families worry that this could lead to more preventable accidents and an increasing number of fatalities on the road.
The situation has been complicated by reports that the Department of Government Efficiency, which is responsible for overseeing the operations of federal agencies like NHTSA, has been making significant cuts to its workforce. These job cuts have raised concerns about whether the agency will have the resources it needs to properly investigate Tesla and other companies involved in autonomous vehicle development.
When asked about the potential impact of these cuts on NHTSA’s investigations, the agency responded that it would continue to "enforce the law on all manufacturers of motor vehicles and equipment," indicating that the investigations would not be impacted by staffing reductions.
Despite these assurances, many are still skeptical about the future of the investigation into Tesla’s self-driving technology. Critics argue that the influence of powerful individuals like Musk could ultimately shape the direction of regulatory decisions.
As Musk continues to make strides in pushing for faster development of autonomous vehicles, some worry that safety concerns will be sidelined in favor of technological innovation.
Secretary Duffy, who is currently under questioning in the Senate to officially take on his role at the DOT, has vowed to ensure that NHTSA’s investigations into Tesla continue. Duffy has committed to letting NHTSA operate independently and without undue influence from external political pressures.
However, the growing influence of Musk in the administration raises questions about whether this commitment will be enough to prevent political interference in the investigation.
While Duffy has expressed support for continued investigation, the families who have written to him remain deeply concerned about the direction of the investigation and the potential impact of Musk’s influence. They have urged the DOT to act independently and ensure that the investigation into Tesla remains thorough, transparent, and free from external influence.
The ongoing debate over the safety of self-driving cars and the role of companies like Tesla in advancing autonomous vehicle technology is likely to continue as more accidents involving driverless technology occur. The issue is not only about technological innovation but also about ensuring that the safety of the public is not compromised in the rush to push forward with new technologies.
As more attention is focused on the potential risks of autonomous vehicles, it will be crucial for regulators to ensure that companies like Tesla are held accountable for accidents that occur as a result of their technology. The families affected by these crashes are hopeful that the DOT and NHTSA will continue to uphold the rules that have been put in place to protect consumers and prevent future tragedies on the road.
