Federal Regulators Investigate Tesla’s Reckless ‘Mad Max’ Mode

UPDATE: Federal regulators are investigating Tesla’s controversial new driving mode, dubbed ‘Mad Max,’ which reportedly allows vehicles to ignore speed limits. This urgent inquiry comes as Tesla faces serious legal and safety concerns following a recent wrongful death lawsuit and multiple reports of reckless driving behavior by its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system.

Earlier this month, Tesla rolled out a firmware update featuring two new driving modes: ‘Sloth’, which drives cautiously, and ‘Mad Max’, which encourages aggressive driving. Some owners have reported that the Mad Max mode disregards speed limits, raising alarm bells for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which has opened an investigation into the feature.

The NHTSA is currently in contact with Tesla to gather more information about the Mad Max mode, emphasizing that the “human behind the wheel is fully responsible” for any incidents. This investigation is especially critical as Tesla recently lost a wrongful death lawsuit, where a vehicle in Autopilot mode was accused of speeding through a stop sign at 62 miles per hour. The collision resulted in one fatality and severe injuries to another individual.

Attorney Brett Schreiber, whose firm successfully represented the victim’s family, stated that Tesla is “deliberately programming cars to exceed speed limits and drive aggressively,” prioritizing aesthetics and sales over safety. These claims underscore the growing concern about the safety implications of Tesla’s autonomous driving features.

The NHTSA has received dozens of reports involving Tesla’s FSD system, including incidents of vehicles running stop signs and drifting into oncoming traffic. The agency’s latest investigation into the Mad Max mode adds to the scrutiny Tesla faces as it navigates a controversial landscape of self-driving technology.

As this story develops, it raises critical questions about the future of autonomous vehicles and the responsibility manufacturers bear for safety. The impact of these features on public safety cannot be overstated, as the implications of such modes could extend beyond Tesla and affect the entire automotive industry.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story, as federal regulators continue to probe Tesla’s practices, and the implications for drivers everywhere hang in the balance.