Trump Team Proposes Ending Self-Driving Car Crash Reporting Rules

The proposed changes, supported by Elon Musk, could reduce federal oversight of autonomous vehicle safety.

President-elect Donald Trump's transition team is reportedly planning to eliminate federal crash-reporting requirements for vehicles using self-driving or advanced driver-assistance systems.
Tesla, which has reported over 1,500 crashes under the current rules, would benefit significantly from the proposed changes as its vehicles account for 40 of 45 fatal crashes reported to regulators since 2021.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has used crash data collected under the program to conduct investigations, issue safety recalls, and improve road safety standards for autonomous vehicles.
Elon Musk, a major Trump donor and nominee to lead the proposed Department of Government Efficiency, has criticized the crash-reporting requirement and advocated for a federal framework to streamline autonomous vehicle regulations.
Critics warn that removing the crash-reporting rules could hinder the government's ability to identify safety risks and enforce accountability in the growing self-driving car industry.