NHTSA Probes Tesla’s New ‘Mad Max’ Driver Assistance Mode
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Friday that it has begun gathering information from Tesla regarding a new driver assistance feature dubbed “Mad Max,” which apparently allows for faster operation than existing modes.
Drivers have taken to social media, sharing experiences that suggest cars operating with aggressive iterations of Tesla’s fully self-driving (FSD) system can exceed posted speed limits.
The NHTSA stated, “We are in contact with the manufacturer to collect further details.” Importantly, the agency reminded that it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure the vehicle operates within the law.
A few weeks back, the NHTSA launched an investigation into 2.9 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD systems following reports of numerous traffic incidents and safety violations.
Initially, the agency looked into 58 reports involving FSD-related traffic safety concerns, which included 14 accidents and 23 related injuries.
While Tesla hasn’t responded directly, they recently shared a post explaining that Mad Max mode “accelerates very smoothly while weaving through traffic at an incredible pace,” positioning it as an ideal feature for those who may be in a hurry.
NHTSA highlighted previously that the FSD system—which requires driver engagement and intervention—has resulted in vehicle behavior that contravenes traffic laws.
There were six reported instances of FSD-enabled Teslas running red lights and colliding with other vehicles.
Despite claiming that FSD can drive with minimal driver intervention, Tesla emphasizes it is not a fully self-driving system.
Interestingly, this ongoing investigation comes after the agency looked into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles last October, prompted by several accidents in low-visibility conditions.
The situation has drawn quite a bit of attention, especially given the features introduced in the Mad Max mode, which some are finding quite exciting—perhaps a tad too exciting for safety regulators.
