US&nbsp;auto safety regulators said on Tuesday they have begun the process that will eventually force carmakers to adopt new technology to prevent intoxicated drivers from starting vehicles.

In 2021, Congress directed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to mandate a passive technology to try to avert more than 10,000 road deaths annually. The law requires a new technology safety standard by November 2024 if the technology is ready.

There are a number of potential technologies under development that would prevent impaired people from starting a vehicle, including breath- or touch-based sensors to detect alcohol. Another potential option is using cameras to monitor eye movements to try to determine if drivers are intoxicated.

Still, NHTSA must be assured the technology works before it can require it, and then give automakers at least three years to implement it once it finalizes rules.

"We are trying to see can we get it done, does the technology exist in a way that is going to work every time," Acting NHTSA Administrator Ann Carlson said, adding that public acceptance of the technology would depend on its accuracy.

Carlson said there were close to 1 billion separate daily&nbsp;driving&nbsp;journeys in the United States.

"If it's 99.9% accurate, you could have a million false positives," Carlson said. "Those false positives could be somebody trying to get to the hospital for an emergency."

The NHTSA on Tuesday published an "advance notice of proposed rulemaking" to begin the process of gathering information on how such technology could be developed and required.

Its regulatory notice details the research and technological advancements needed to finalize regulations and options for potential rules, citing "Blood alcohol content detection, impairment-detection (driver monitoring), or a combination."

Mothers Against Drunk&nbsp;Driving&nbsp;President Tess Rowland said the group was "very pleased" with NHTSA's launch.

"We understand we still have a mountain to climb," Rowland said. "Victims and survivors are not going to let this die."

In 2021, 13,384 people died in alcohol-impaired&nbsp;driving&nbsp;traffic deaths, the most recent statistics available reveals.

Separately, Carlson will tell a US&nbsp;House of Representatives committee on Wednesday that US&nbsp;traffic deaths fell 4.5% in the first nine months of the year after sharply rising during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"While we are optimistic that we're finally seeing a reversal of the record-high fatalities seen during the pandemic, this is not a cause for celebration," Carlson's written testimony says.

US auto safety regulators said on Tuesday they have begun the process that will eventually force carmakers to adopt new technology to prevent intoxicated drivers from starting vehicles.

US auto safety regulators said on Tuesday they have begun the process that will eventually force carmakers to adopt new technology to prevent intoxicated drivers from starting vehicles. In 2021, Congress directed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to mandate a passive technology to try to avert more than 10,000 road deaths annually. The law requires a new technology safety standard by November 2024 if the technology is ready. There are a number of potential technologies under development that would prevent impaired people from starting a vehicle, including breath- or touch-based sensors to detect alcohol. Another potential option is using cameras to monitor eye movements to try to determine if drivers are intoxicated. Still, NHTSA must be assured the technology works before it can require it, and then give automakers at least three years to implement it once it finalizes rules. "We are trying to see can we get it done, does the technology exist in a way that is going to work every time," Acting NHTSA Administrator Ann Carlson said, adding that public acceptance of the technology would depend on its accuracy. Carlson said there were close to 1 billion separate daily driving journeys in the United States. "If it's 99.9% accurate, you could have a million false positives," Carlson said. "Those false positives could be somebody trying to get to the hospital for an emergency." The NHTSA on Tuesday published an "advance notice of proposed rulemaking" to begin the process of gathering information on how such technology could be developed and required. Its regulatory notice details the research and technological advancements needed to finalize regulations and options for potential rules, citing "Blood alcohol content detection, impairment-detection (driver monitoring), or a combination." Mothers Against Drunk Driving President Tess Rowland said the group was "very pleased" with NHTSA's launch. "We understand we still have a mountain to climb," Rowland said. "Victims and survivors are not going to let this die." In 2021, 13,384 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths, the most recent statistics available reveals. Separately, Carlson will tell a US House of Representatives committee on Wednesday that US traffic deaths fell 4.5% in the first nine months of the year after sharply rising during the COVID-19 pandemic. "While we are optimistic that we're finally seeing a reversal of the record-high fatalities seen during the pandemic, this is not a cause for celebration," Carlson's written testimony says.

US agency takes first step to mandate anti-drunk driving technology

Auto safety regulators in the United States said on Tuesday (September 5) that 52 million airbag inflators produced by ARC Automotive and Delphi Automotive should be recalled as they might rupture and send dangerous metal fragments flying.

Auto safety regulators in the United States said on Tuesday (September 5) that 52 million airbag inflators produced by ARC Automotive and Delphi Automotive should be recalled as they might rupture and send dangerous metal fragments flying. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said airbag inflators that rupture when commanded to deploy were defective as they both failed to protect vehicle occupants as they should and, pose an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death on their own. The NHTSA first demanded a voluntary recall in May, but ARC rejected it. The agency issued an initial decision on Tuesday and set a public meeting on October 5 in a rare move to compel a recall. In which vehicles have the airbag inflators been used? As per the Reuters report, the inflators that the NHTSA is seeking to recall have been used in vehicles from the year 2000 till early 2018 produced by 12 automakers including General Motors, Ford, Tesla, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen. Initially, the NHTSA said that 67 million airbag inflators were unsafe. But on Tuesday, it adjusted this estimate to account for "over-inclusive responses reported to the agency by certain manufacturers over the course of the investigation." If the recall is successful, the callback would be one of the largest on record, Reuters reported. In May, the ARC rejected the NHTSA's conclusion that there was a defect. The agency, meanwhile, said that ARC in January 2018 completed the installation of devices on inflator manufacturing lines used to detect excesses of a hardened byproduct of welding known as weld slag, or other debris. The NHTSA added that it was unaware of issues in ARC inflators produced since the installation of the devices. NHTSA said it "believes that the evidence does identify a likely cause" and added that ARC's argument on not finding a root cause "is not a reason for delaying a recall." The agency pointed out that it was aware of seven confirmed inflator ruptures in the United States in the vehicles it seeks to have recalled, including seven injuries and one death. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US: 52 million airbag inflators should be recalled over rupture threat, say auto regulators

The US auto safety regulator has opened probes into 1.72 million Honda vehicles, 230,000 Jeeps and 390,077 Ram trucks over alleged safety concerns.&nbsp;The action by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) comes amidst reports of loss of power for more than 1.7 million US 2018-2022 model year Honda CR-V and HR-V vehicles, reports Reuters news agency.

It is said that a few drivers lost power while speeding on the highway, while others found differential seal leaks resulting in rear differential lock-up as the cause.

Some reports allege the rear lock-up caused the driveshaft to fracture while the vehicle was in motion resulting in the vehicle being towed.

Apart from Honda, around 390,000&nbsp;of Ram pickup trucks belonging to the 2017-2018 model are also under the lens of the US regulator after reports claiming intermittent or permanent loss of braking performance.

But there are reports that replacing the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) module and Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) corrected the issue.

Whereas, Jeep Compass SUV users reported loss of power while driving that was accompanied by a high coolant temperature message appearing on the vehicle dashboard. The US agency is looking to probe 230,000 2019-2020 model year.

The regulator said that it will initiate its preliminary probe before the automakers are asked to recall their vehicles.

Spokespersons of Honda and Stellantis NV, the parent company of Jeep and Ram, said they are cooperating with the investigations.

Even though several flaws were reported, there have been no cases of crashes or injuries to date.

The NHTSA has decided whether to upgrade each probe to an engineering analysis before it could demand a total recall.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE: 

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The US auto safety regulator has opened probes into 1.72 million Honda vehicles, 230,000 Jeeps and 390,077 Ram trucks over alleged safety concerns. The action by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) comes amidst reports of loss of power for more than 1.

The US auto safety regulator has opened probes into 1.72 million Honda vehicles, 230,000 Jeeps and 390,077 Ram trucks over alleged safety concerns. The action by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) comes amidst reports of loss of power for more than 1.7 million US 2018-2022 model year Honda CR-V and HR-V vehicles, reports Reuters news agency. It is said that a few drivers lost power while speeding on the highway, while others found differential seal leaks resulting in rear differential lock-up as the cause. Some reports allege the rear lock-up caused the driveshaft to fracture while the vehicle was in motion resulting in the vehicle being towed. Apart from Honda, around 390,000 of Ram pickup trucks belonging to the 2017-2018 model are also under the lens of the US regulator after reports claiming intermittent or permanent loss of braking performance. But there are reports that replacing the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) module and Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) corrected the issue. Whereas, Jeep Compass SUV users reported loss of power while driving that was accompanied by a high coolant temperature message appearing on the vehicle dashboard. The US agency is looking to probe 230,000 2019-2020 model year. The regulator said that it will initiate its preliminary probe before the automakers are asked to recall their vehicles. Spokespersons of Honda and Stellantis NV, the parent company of Jeep and Ram, said they are cooperating with the investigations. Even though several flaws were reported, there have been no cases of crashes or injuries to date. The NHTSA has decided whether to upgrade each probe to an engineering analysis before it could demand a total recall. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US auto safety regulator initiates probes into Honda, Jeep, Ram vehicles over safety issues

Two US lawmakers who chair subcommittees monitoring&nbsp;auto safety have requested a briefing from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the agency's investigations into collisions involving Tesla Inc's electric vehicles equipped with Autopilot and advanced driver assistance systems.

Reuters reports that as per a letter that it has been privy to, writing to the federal auto safety regulator, Democrats US&nbsp;Senator&nbsp;Gary Peters and Representative&nbsp;Jan Schakowsky expressed their concern about the "troubling safety issues" uncovered by federal investigations and recent reporting at Tesla.

Watch |&nbsp;Tesla made up nearly 70% of assisted-driving crashes in last year

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tesla-made-up-nearly-70-of-assisted-driving-crashes-in-last-year-488908/embed" width="560"></iframe>

Given the growing incidence of fatalities from Tesla automobiles colliding with tractor trailers, the legislators questioned "has NHTSA considered opening a defect investigation into this issue?"

Since 2016, the NHTSA has launched 38 special investigations into accidents involving Tesla vehicles and cases where the use of cutting-edge driver aid technologies like Autopilot was suspected. 19 persons lost their lives in these Tesla-related cases that are being investigated.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/are-children-at-risk-from-elon-musks-self-driving-technology-group-claims-software-will-mow-kids-down-505353">Are children at risk from Elon Musk's self-driving technology? Group claims software will 'mow' kids down</a>

"Does NHTSA strike a balance between investigative thoroughness and addressing urgent, emerging risks to motor vehicle safety?" the letter asked. It also questioned whether the organisation has the resources necessary to thoroughly examine advanced driver assistance systems.

Of late, many questions have been raised about Elon Musk's Tesla and its auto-driving technology. Recently, a safe technology advocacy group Dawn Project also voiced concerns regarding the software. The group claims that Teslas "will indiscriminately mow down children" and launched an ad campaign urging the public to pressure Congress into banning Tesla's auto-driving technology.

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Two US lawmakers who chair subcommittees monitoring auto safety have requested a briefing from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the agency's investigations into collisions involving Tesla Inc's electric vehicles equipped with Autopilot and advanced driver assistance systems.

Two US lawmakers who chair subcommittees monitoring auto safety have requested a briefing from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the agency's investigations into collisions involving Tesla Inc's electric vehicles equipped with Autopilot and advanced driver assistance systems. Reuters reports that as per a letter that it has been privy to, writing to the federal auto safety regulator, Democrats US Senator Gary Peters and Representative Jan Schakowsky expressed their concern about the "troubling safety issues" uncovered by federal investigations and recent reporting at Tesla. Watch | Tesla made up nearly 70% of assisted-driving crashes in last year Given the growing incidence of fatalities from Tesla automobiles colliding with tractor trailers, the legislators questioned "has NHTSA considered opening a defect investigation into this issue?" Since 2016, the NHTSA has launched 38 special investigations into accidents involving Tesla vehicles and cases where the use of cutting-edge driver aid technologies like Autopilot was suspected. 19 persons lost their lives in these Tesla-related cases that are being investigated. Also read | Are children at risk from Elon Musk's self-driving technology? Group claims software will 'mow' kids down "Does NHTSA strike a balance between investigative thoroughness and addressing urgent, emerging risks to motor vehicle safety?" the letter asked. It also questioned whether the organisation has the resources necessary to thoroughly examine advanced driver assistance systems. Of late, many questions have been raised about Elon Musk's Tesla and its auto-driving technology. Recently, a safe technology advocacy group Dawn Project also voiced concerns regarding the software. The group claims that Teslas "will indiscriminately mow down children" and launched an ad campaign urging the public to pressure Congress into banning Tesla's auto-driving technology. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US lawmakers question how safe Elon Musk's Tesla is, ask NHTSA about its probes into crashes

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Friday that Tesla is recalling 947 vehicles in the United States because the rearview image may not immediately display when they begin to reverse.

Tesla said "over the following week, an engineering investigation into the condition identified a software error as a potential cause for further assessment."

Tesla said that "despite not finding a noncompliance in the tests that Tesla conducted, a recall determination was made out of an abundance of caution to recognize the potential presence of a noncompliance in affected vehicles."

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-is-teslas-autopilot-causing-cars-to-crash-406398/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The models recalled by the US electric automaker include 2018-2019 Model S, Model X, and 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles which are equipped with Autopilot Computer 2.5 and operating certain firmware releases.&nbsp;

Previously, NHTSA made Tesla recall nearly 579,000 vehicles in the US because a “Boombox” function can play sounds over an external speaker and obscure audible warnings for pedestrians of an approaching vehicle.&nbsp;

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, when asked on Twitter why the company agreed to the recall, responded: “The fun police made us do it (sigh).”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/elon-musk-announces-humanoid-robot-tesla-bot-that-uses-artificial-intelligence-407062">Also read |&nbsp;Elon Musk announces humanoid robot Tesla Bot that uses artificial intelligence</a>

It comes after US auto safety regulators had launched investigation on Tesla as its cars stopped on roads for no apparent reason.

The vehicles were equipped with partially automated driver-assist features such as adaptive cruise control and “Autopilot,” which allows them to automatically brake and steer within their lanes.

“Complainants report that the rapid deceleration can occur without warning, and often repeatedly during a single drive cycle,” the agency said.

Musk has been fighting with US and California government agencies for years, sparring with NHTSA and most notably with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

He is trying to cancel an agreement he made in 2018 with the US stock market regulator (SEC) that requires some of his tweets to be approved by lawyers before they are posted.

The South Africa-born mogul and Tesla each agreed to pay $20 million in civil fines over Musk’s tweets about having the money to take the company private at $420 per share. The funding was far from secured and the company remains public. The settlement specified governance changes, including Musk’s ouster as board chairman, as well approval of Musk’s tweets.

(With inputs from agencies)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Friday that Tesla is recalling 947 vehicles in the United States because the rearview image may not immediately display when they begin to reverse.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Friday that Tesla is recalling 947 vehicles in the United States because the rearview image may not immediately display when they begin to reverse. Tesla said "over the following week, an engineering investigation into the condition identified a software error as a potential cause for further assessment." Tesla said that "despite not finding a noncompliance in the tests that Tesla conducted, a recall determination was made out of an abundance of caution to recognize the potential presence of a noncompliance in affected vehicles." The models recalled by the US electric automaker include 2018-2019 Model S, Model X, and 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles which are equipped with Autopilot Computer 2.5 and operating certain firmware releases. Previously, NHTSA made Tesla recall nearly 579,000 vehicles in the US because a “Boombox” function can play sounds over an external speaker and obscure audible warnings for pedestrians of an approaching vehicle. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, when asked on Twitter why the company agreed to the recall, responded: “The fun police made us do it (sigh).” Also read | Elon Musk announces humanoid robot Tesla Bot that uses artificial intelligence It comes after US auto safety regulators had launched investigation on Tesla as its cars stopped on roads for no apparent reason. The vehicles were equipped with partially automated driver-assist features such as adaptive cruise control and “Autopilot,” which allows them to automatically brake and steer within their lanes. “Complainants report that the rapid deceleration can occur without warning, and often repeatedly during a single drive cycle,” the agency said. Musk has been fighting with US and California government agencies for years, sparring with NHTSA and most notably with the Securities and Exchange Commission. He is trying to cancel an agreement he made in 2018 with the US stock market regulator (SEC) that requires some of his tweets to be approved by lawyers before they are posted. The South Africa-born mogul and Tesla each agreed to pay $20 million in civil fines over Musk’s tweets about having the money to take the company private at $420 per share. The funding was far from secured and the company remains public. The settlement specified governance changes, including Musk’s ouster as board chairman, as well approval of Musk’s tweets. (With inputs from agencies)

Tesla recalls hundreds of vehicles over delay in rearview image display

The US has launched a formal investigation following reports that Tesla allowed games to be played on the front centre touchscreen while driving.

The probe is being led by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and covers about 580,000 electric cars and SUVs from model years 2017 through 2022.

In a document posted online Wednesday, the agency said the feature, called “Passenger Play,” may distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash.

NHTSA said it has “confirmed that this capability has been available since December 2020 in Tesla ‘Passenger Play’-equipped vehicles.”

Earlier, the game feature “was enabled only when the vehicle was in park mode.”

NHTSA said it will evaluate aspects of the feature, including the frequency and use scenarios of Tesla ‘Passenger Play’.

Earlier this month, the New York Times highlighted the game feature prompting NHTSA to say it was in discussions with Tesla about the feature.

The New York Times spoke to a Tesla Model 3 owner in December who said that he had discovered he was able to play games including solitaire on his car's touchscreen while driving.

The driver said he had also seen people on YouTube driving while playing games in Teslas.

“I'm astonished. To me, it just seems inherently dangerous,” he told The Times.

Tesla has so far not reacted to the development.

(With inputs from agencies)

The US has launched a formal investigation following reports that Tesla allowed games to be played on the front centre touchscreen while driving. The probe is being led by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and covers about 580,000 electric cars and SUVs from model years 2017 through 2022.

The US has launched a formal investigation following reports that Tesla allowed games to be played on the front centre touchscreen while driving. The probe is being led by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and covers about 580,000 electric cars and SUVs from model years 2017 through 2022. In a document posted online Wednesday, the agency said the feature, called “Passenger Play,” may distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash. NHTSA said it has “confirmed that this capability has been available since December 2020 in Tesla ‘Passenger Play’-equipped vehicles.” Earlier, the game feature “was enabled only when the vehicle was in park mode.” NHTSA said it will evaluate aspects of the feature, including the frequency and use scenarios of Tesla ‘Passenger Play’. Earlier this month, the New York Times highlighted the game feature prompting NHTSA to say it was in discussions with Tesla about the feature. The New York Times spoke to a Tesla Model 3 owner in December who said that he had discovered he was able to play games including solitaire on his car's touchscreen while driving. The driver said he had also seen people on YouTube driving while playing games in Teslas. “I'm astonished. To me, it just seems inherently dangerous,” he told The Times. Tesla has so far not reacted to the development. (With inputs from agencies)

US initiates probe into Tesla letting people play video games while driving