Tesla gets Justice Department subpoena for self-driving cars

FILE - Elon Musk departs the Phillip Burton Federal Building and United States Court House in San Francisco, on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. Tesla has received requests from the Justice Department for documents related to its Autopilot and "Full Self-Driving" features, according to a regulatory filing. Photo by Benjamin Fanjoy /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The U.S. Justice Department has requested documents from Tesla Inc. related to its Autopilot and “Full Self-Driving” features, according to a regulatory filing.

“To our knowledge no government agency in any ongoing investigation has concluded that any wrongdoing occurred,” Tesla said in the filing Tuesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Sign up to receive the daily top stories from the National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.

By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails or any newsletter. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300

Thanks for signing up!

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox.

The Austin, Texas-based electric vehicle maker cautioned that if the government decides to pursue an enforcement action, it could possibly have a material adverse impact on its business.

A message was left Tuesday seeking comment from the Justice Department.

Tesla is already facing multiple investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for problems with its two driver-assist systems, Autopilot and “Full Self-Driving.”

Despite their names, Tesla still says on its website that the cars can’t drive themselves. Teslas using “Full Self-Driving” can navigate roads in many cases, but experts say the system can make mistakes, which even CEO Elon Musk acknowledges. “We’re not saying it’s quite ready to have no one behind the wheel,” CEO Musk said in October.

The systems have been under investigation by NHTSA since June of 2016 when a driver using Autopilot was killed after his Tesla went under a tractor-trailer crossing its path in Florida. A separate probe into Teslas that were using Autopilot when they crashed into emergency vehicles started in August 2021. At least 14 Teslas that have crashed into emergency vehicles while using the Autopilot system.

Including the Florida crash, NHTSA has sent investigators to 35 Tesla crashes in which automated systems are suspected of being used. Nineteen people have died in those crashes, including two motorcyclists.

“Full Self-Driving” went on sale late in 2015, and Musk has used the name ever since. It currently costs $15,000 to activate the system. That year, Musk said the company will have full autonomy in about three years.

In 2019 he promised a fleet of autonomous robotaxis by 2020, and he said in early 2022 that the cars would be autonomous that year.

Since 2021, Tesla has been beta-testing “Full Self-Driving” using owners who haven’t been trained on the system but are actively monitored by the company. Tesla said this month that 400,000 owners are participating.

Auto safety advocates and government investigators have long criticized Tesla’s monitoring system as inadequate. Three years ago the National Transportation Safety Board listed poor monitoring as a contributing factor in a 2018 fatal Tesla crash in California. The board recommended a better system, but said Tesla has not responded.

NHTSA has noted in documents that numerous Tesla crashes have occurred in which drivers had their hands on the wheel but still weren’t paying attention. The agency has said that Autopilot is being used in areas where its capabilities are limited and that many drivers aren’t taking action to avoid crashes despite warnings from the vehicle.

In addition, the National Transportation Safety Board determined in 2020 that Tesla’s system to make sure drivers are paying attention is not adequate, and it should be limited to areas where it can safely operate.

In premarket trading, Tesla shares slipped 1.3%.


Football news:

<!DOCTYPE html>
Kane on Tuchel: A wonderful man, full of ideas. Thomas in person says what he thinks
Zarema about Kuziaev's 350,000 euros a year in Le Havre: Translate it into rubles - it's not that little. It is commendable that he left
Aleksandr Mostovoy on Wendel: Two months of walking around in the middle of nowhere and then coming back and dragging the team - that's top level
Sheffield United have bought Euro U21 champion Archer from Aston Villa for £18.5million
Alexander Medvedev on SKA: Without Gazprom, there would be no Zenit titles. There is a winning wave in the city. The next victory in the Gagarin Cup will be in the spring
Smolnikov ended his career at the age of 35. He became the Russian champion three times with Zenit

3:12 Hamilton to seek veto over landfill applications amid odour issue in Stoney Creek
3:09 WRHA palliative home care on good path after failures, review recommendations: advocate
3:07 Averted disaster on Horizon flight renews scrutiny on mental health of those in cockpit
2:57 Averted disaster on Horizon Air flight renews scrutiny on mental health of those in the cockpit
2:56 Vancouver Island jewelry dealer targeted by thieves for 22nd time
2:54 French-language universities back English counterparts in criticizing tuition hike for non-Quebec students
2:51 Maggie Mac Neil makes Pan Am Games history with fifth gold medal
2:51 Georgia restaurant’s ‘bad parenting fee’ eats away at some customers
2:17 Raptors tip off Rajakovic era by spreading out offence to top T-Wolves
2:16 Schroder leads new-look Raptors to win
2:15 Dennis Schroder leads new-look Raptors to season-opening 97-94 win over Timberwolves
2:08 Arnold Schwarzenegger says he’d make ‘great president,’ but calls for ‘young blood’ in 2024
1:53 Some charges stayed against Vancouver escort
1:48 Vancouver man accused in Chinatown graffiti spree heads to court
1:43 At least 16 dead in Maine shooting, law enforcement sources say
1:43 At least 16 dead after shootings at bar, bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine
1:38 ‘LOCK DOWN’: Active shooter in Lewiston, Maine; cops investigating multiple scenes
1:38 ‘LOCK DOWN’: At least 10 dead in Maine shooting, number expected to rise
1:38 At least 16 dead in Maine shooting and dozens injured, cops say
1:30 Bank of Canada holds interest rate: What this means for British Columbians
1:30 At least 10 dead in Maine shooting and number expected to rise, law enforcement officials tell AP
1:30 At least 16 dead in Maine shooting and dozens injured, law enforcement officials tell AP
1:29 No, 1 pick Victor Wembanyama is set to debut with the San Antonio Spurs and the world is watching
1:29 No, 1 pick Victor Wembanyama debuts with the Spurs and the world is watching
1:27 Mom who killed kids in Idaho will be sent to Arizona to face murder charges
1:25 Active shooter reported in Maine, police investigating multiple scenes
1:19 King Township man charged after 3-D printed handgun, other weapons seized
1:17 Would-be hit men sentenced to 10 years for 2020 Vancouver shooting
1:16 Thousands of Las Vegas hotel workers fighting for new union contracts rally, block Strip traffic
1:16 Union workers arrested on Las Vegas Strip for blocking traffic as thousands rally
1:15 Calgary’s housing crisis: Those left behind share their stories
1:11 Imprisoned ‘apostle’ of Mexican megachurch La Luz del Mundo charged with federal child pornography
1:10 Police to detonate suspicious package ‘shortly’ in city’s north end
1:07 FIQ healthcare union votes to strike Nov. 8-9
1:07 St. Lawrence Seaway strike concerns politicians, stakeholders in Hamilton and Niagara
1:04 U.S. autoworkers reach deal with Ford, breakthrough toward ending strikes
1:02 Calgary police chief unaware honour guard attended controversial prayer breakfast, but ‘not surprised’
1:00 Laura Jones: Regulation should be about improving our quality of life while minimizing red tape
0:58 Montreal hosting government, community groups, law enforcement in gun violence forum
0:50 Two arrested in Kelowna homicide investigation: RCMP
0:49 Mom convicted of killing kids in Idaho will be sent to Arizona to face murder conspiracy charges
0:47 B.C. residents split on future of provincial carbon tax: poll
0:34 Do you know Slim? B.C. RCMP seek person of interest in fatal Sparwood shooting
0:32 B.C. mother-daughter jewelry designing team featured in Rolls-Royce book
0:30 The U.S. House has a speaker. What does that mean for Israel, Ukraine aid?
0:22 Héma-Québec adding new virtual experience to boost number of blood donors
0:22 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 26, 2023
0:19 What’s trending this Halloween in the Okanagan
0:16 Teens charged with retired cop’s murder accused of flipping off his kin in court
0:13 Dusty Baker tells newspaper he is retiring as manager of Houston Astros
0:09 UAW, Ford reach tentative deal to end weeks-long strike: sources
0:09 Volunteers harvest thousands of eggs as salmon return to South Surrey river
0:03 LILLEY: Canada’s Jewish community feels like it is under assault
0:02 Ex-NFL player Sergio Brown, charged with killing mother, denied release
23:56 $15 million class-action lawsuit brought against York University and student union
23:55 Ex-NBA star Dwight Howard denies sexual assault suit filed by Georgia man
23:54 Quebec taxpayers shouldn't completely bail out Montreal-area transit companies: Guilbault
23:54 Lethbridge training exercise sees emergency responders practice responding to large crowds
23:51 Driver in Malibu crash that killed 4 college students charged with murder
23:47 Canada to send additional humanitarian aid to Nagorno-Karabakh, Gaza, West Bank and Israel
23:45 Hurricane Otis unleashes massive flooding in Acapulco, triggers landslides
23:44 MANDEL: Nygard tells court no one could be locked inside his bedroom suite
23:41 North Vancouver architecture team designs Indigenous-inspired buildings that blend with nature
23:41 Airports see surge in asylum claims after border, visa requirement changes
23:37 Vaughn Palmer: David Eby makes no apologies for calling for halt to interest rate hikes
23:35 Housing crisis bears down on some of Calgary’s most vulnerable
23:35 'I will never look at myself as a murderer,' says man convicted of St-Laurent murder
23:34 Mac Neil leads another big day in the pool for Canada at Pan Am Games
23:27 Hydro-Quebec rates ‘never’ to increase above 3 per cent, premier promises
23:27 Pro-Palestinian protesters call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza at rally in Ottawa
23:26 TransLink faces $4.7 billion financial void by 2033 without funding change
23:21 Guy Favreau shelter could be granted winter reprieve, says city
23:15 Deer scatters diners after charging into crowded Wisconsin restaurant
23:09 Emergency homeless shelter at The Gathering Place: New Beginnings continues operations
23:02 Alberta premier promises firm exit number before referendum on CPP
23:01 Professor who called Hamas slaughter ‘exhilarating’ on leave
23:01 B.C. and Washington State agree to address Nooksack River flooding, set no timeline or obligations
22:59 Gregoire Trudeau ‘re-partnered’ months before separation announced: Report
22:58 Maple Leaf notes: Ontario Sports Hall of an honour for Shanahan and more video victories
22:57 Canadian connection: Timberwolves’ Miller learning NBA ropes from Alexander-Walker
22:57 Okanagan MLA Ben Stewart not seeking re-election in 2024
22:56 Mac Neil becomes Canada’s most decorated Pan Am Games athlete with fifth gold medal
22:55 Saskatoon green cart material to be processed in-house, temporarily lowering costs
22:51 A Montrealer by choice, Restaurant Gus chef shows what out-of-province students can contribute
22:50 Hate crimes against Jews and Muslims on the rise since Hamas attack
22:47 Federal officials say plan for water cuts from 3 Western states is enough to protect Colorado River
22:47 Ex-NFL player Sergio Brown, charged with killing mother, has been denied release
22:44 Seaway strike puts Saskatchewan’s international reputation at risk, producers say
22:36 Behind the concerns and complex feelings some Indigenous audiences have about Killers of the Flower Moon
22:34 Michigan State hearing officer rules Mel Tucker sexually harassed Brenda Tracy, AP source says
22:32 CPKC lowers earnings expectations due to ‘economic headwinds,’ port workers strike
22:31 ‘Fantastic’ pet food drive helps struggling military veterans in Calgary
22:24 Auto theft probe, Project Stallion, trots 228 accused before courts
22:19 Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., killer had a history of intimate partner violence, police say
22:09 Record number of visitors to food banks in Canada renews calls for greater support in Manitoba
22:08 $4.7 billion funding gap could result in major TransLink service cuts: Report
22:02 Rising cost of living putting unprecedented pressure on Canadian food banks
21:58 Turbocharged Otis caught forecasters and Mexico off-guard. Scientists aren’t sure why
21:58 Chretien reflects on 30th anniversary of election win, says House has become 'dull as hell'
21:57 Manslaughter charges arise from Saskatoon May suspicious death