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The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is requesting information from Tesla about the new „Mad Max” driver assistance mode, which operates at higher speeds and with more aggressive driving behavior than previous versions of the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, according to News.ro.
On social media, several drivers reported that Tesla vehicles using „Mad Max” mode may exceed legal speed limits.
NHTSA confirmed that it is „in contact with the manufacturer for additional information,” stressing that the driver remains responsible for complying with traffic rules.
The agency opened an investigation earlier this month into 2.9 million Tesla vehicles equipped with the FSD system, after dozens of reports of road safety violations and accidents.
So far, NHTSA is analyzing 58 incidents, including 14 collisions and 23 people injured, some of them caused by cars that ran a red light with the system activated.
Tesla has not officially commented, but previously reposted a message on social media describing the „Mad Max” mode as being able to accelerate and change lanes „at incredible speed, but in a very smooth way, perfect if you’re running late.”
But NHTSA warns that the FSD system, while more advanced than Autopilot, does not turn the car into a fully autonomous vehicle and can „induce behaviors that violate road safety laws.” The investigation is part of a wider series of checks on Tesla’s assisted driving technologies, following several low-visibility crashes and traffic light intersections.
