The Dawn Project Urges Legislators To Ban Tesla Full Self-Driving Over Critical Safety Defects Published in New Report to Congress

Core Viewpoint - The Dawn Project has called for a ban on Tesla's Full Self-Driving software due to critical safety defects identified during safety tests, emphasizing the need for immediate legislative action to protect public safety [1][7]. Group 1: Safety Concerns - The Dawn Project's report highlights numerous safety-critical errors in Tesla's Full Self-Driving software, including incidents where the software failed to stop for a school bus with flashing lights, leading to dangerous situations [2][4][5]. - A live demonstration in Austin showed that the software consistently failed to react appropriately, running down a child mannequin while ignoring safety signals from a school bus [3][5]. - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported 50 fatalities and 2,185 crashes involving Tesla's self-driving technology, indicating a significant safety risk associated with its deployment [6]. Group 2: Legislative Action - The Dawn Project has urged legislators to take immediate action to ban Tesla's Full Self-Driving software until it can be proven safe, citing the potential for severe accidents involving children and other road users [7][8]. - Dan O'Dowd, the founder of The Dawn Project, criticized the NHTSA for not taking action against Tesla, calling for the federal regulator to fulfill its responsibility to ensure road safety [8].