Car safety experts at NHTSA, which regulates Tesla, axed by DOGE

a year ago

Job cuts at the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) disproportionately affected staff assessing self-driving risks, impacting oversight of Tesla's technology.
Around 30 NHTSA workers were dismissed in February as part of Elon Musk's 'Department of Government Efficiency' campaign to shrink the federal workforce.
Many of the dismissed employees were from the 'office of vehicle automation safety,' raising concerns about conflicts of interest given Tesla's regulatory scrutiny.
NHTSA has eight active investigations into Tesla and has ordered multiple recalls of its self-driving software.
Morale at NHTSA has dropped following the layoffs, with employees wary of Musk's influence over regulatory agencies.
Musk has previously clashed with other federal regulators like the FAA and FCC, advocating for policies benefiting his companies.
NHTSA stated that safety remains its top priority and that its investigations will remain independent.

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