France has expressed opposition to the use of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) driver assistance software on European Union roads in its current form, citing safety concerns. The French transportation minister, Philippe Tabarot, pointed to worries over speeding and driver inattention as the primary reasons for the rejection.
EU Approval Process
The Netherlands’ road authority, RDW, had previously approved the technology for use on Dutch roads on a provisional basis, prompting other countries like Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, and Lithuania to follow suit. However, France’s stance is the first public rejection by an EU government of the Dutch-led initiative to approve the technology for use throughout Europe.
Tesla’s FSD is a driver assistance system that can accelerate, brake, and steer a car, while its human driver remains ready to intervene. The technology is seen as a selling point and revenue-generator for Tesla, whose European registrations are gradually recovering following a slump last year.
In response to Tabarot’s remarks, Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that delaying the approval of FSD in France will cost lives. France is continuing technical discussions with the Netherlands and other EU countries over the technology.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
