Stockholm – The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) on Tuesday urged all EU member states to refuse approval of Tesla’s Full Self‑Driving (FSD) system because it includes a speed‑offset function that can raise a vehicle’s maximum speed by as much as 50 % above the limit detected by the car’s sensors.
Safety concerns drive the call
ETSC said the offset feature could enable drivers to exceed posted speed limits, creating a serious road‑safety risk. The council noted that Tesla has not applied for an exemption from United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) rules that would allow such a deviation from posted limits.
Regulatory landscape in Europe
Several EU countries, including Sweden, France and the Czech Republic, have already expressed worries about the system’s ability to surpass speed limits. In April, the Dutch vehicle authority RDW granted a limited approval for FSD, but the approval excluded the speed‑offset function. Belgium and a handful of other nations have followed the Dutch lead, granting conditional approvals that do not cover the controversial feature.
A Europe‑wide vote on full approval of Tesla’s FSD, originally slated for October, now appears unlikely before December, according to ETSC. The council urged regulators to reject the speed‑offset function outright and also to scrutinize a separate feature that matches driving speeds to surrounding traffic.
Tesla’s response
Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. CEO Elon Musk has previously warned that delaying FSD approval “will cost lives,” arguing that the technology can improve road safety when properly deployed.
Implications for drivers and manufacturers
If EU regulators act on ETSC’s recommendation, Tesla may need to modify its software to remove or limit the speed‑offset capability for European markets. The move could set a precedent for how autonomous‑driving aids are evaluated under UNECE regulations, potentially influencing future approvals for other manufacturers seeking to introduce advanced driver‑assistance systems in the bloc.
For U.S. drivers, the debate highlights the differing regulatory approaches between Europe and America. While the United States continues to allow manufacturers more flexibility in testing and deploying autonomous features, European authorities are taking a more precautionary stance, emphasizing strict adherence to speed‑limit compliance.
What’s next?
ETSC’s appeal adds pressure on the European Commission and national regulators to ensure that any approved autonomous‑driving technology prioritizes safety over speed. The council plans to monitor Tesla’s compliance and will continue to engage with EU policymakers as the December decision window approaches.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
