Abstract:
A road safety advocacy group cited the results of its tests in Belgium saying Tesla's FSD autopilot system often exceeded speeds and tried to overtake cyclists on sections where overtaking was prohibited.
Johanna.be, a Belgian organization dedicated to advocating for pedestrian and cyclist safety, conducted a three-day test of Tesla's system in July, covering a total distance of approximately 400 kilometers (249 miles). Tests found that the system frequently exceeded speed limits in areas with speed limits of 20 km/h and 30 km/h, and incorrectly displayed higher speed limits to drivers, which could mislead drivers as to how fast the vehicle should be traveling.
Tesla's FSD driver assistance feature is capable of performing most driving tasks but requires a high level of driver alertness. Dutch regulator RDW approved the system in April, with Belgium and a handful of other countries following suit. An EU-wide vote is likely to take place on October 6.
Several EU countries, including Sweden, have expressed concerns that FSD systems lead to vehicle speeding, while countries that have approved the systems point out that the responsibility for complying with traffic laws still lies with the driver.
A study released by Tesla earlier this month showed that Tesla vehicles with the FSD system enabled did not excessively speed and traveled at a speed consistent with the flow of surrounding traffic.
Xavier Lesenne, spokesman for the transport department of the Flemish regional government in the Netherlands, which approved FSD in Belgium earlier this year, said it is a "learning system" that "continuously processes new and additional information" and can adjust itself over time. Drivers "still have 100 percent responsibility" and must be ready to intervene "if the system makes an error or fails to properly enforce traffic rules," Lessen noted.
Lesson said the data provided by Tesla shows the technology has "huge potential to prevent accidents today."
But Johanna.be found that on the 30km/h roads around Brussels, the FSD exceeded the speed limit in most cases, reaching an average speed of 44km/h.
Although the on-board display system recognizes 30 km/h speed limit signs on the roadside, it often incorrectly displays the speed limit as 50 km/h.
The report states: "It is as if a passenger is constantly stressing to the driver that the speed limit is 50 km/h as the vehicle passes through almost every 30 km/h zone."
Videos collected by the organization show that Tesla cars with the FSD function turned on try to overtake cyclists on sections of road where overtaking is prohibited.
The European Transport Safety Committee has previously expressed concerns and questioned whether the FSD system can adapt to different traffic regulations across Europe.
Johanna.be's report also pointed out the positive aspects of the system, saying it "behaves cautiously and politely when encountering pedestrians and cyclists, often giving way proactively."
However, these benefits "do not offset proven violations in compliance with speed limits and bike street regulations."
The NGO stated that it has submitted this report to the relevant departments of the Flemish regional government and the Dutch Vehicle Administration (RDW), urging both parties to re-evaluate the relevant approval decisions.
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