The European Transport Safety Council has urged European Union member states to reject approval of a speed offset function included in Tesla’s (NASDAQ:TSLA) Full Self-Driving system, citing concerns that it could allow vehicles to travel above detected speed limits.
The ETSC said Tesla’s driver-assistance system includes a function that can increase the maximum permitted speed by as much as 50% above the limit identified by the vehicle.
According to the safety group, Tesla has not sought an exemption from United Nations Economic Commission rules that would permit the FSD system to exceed posted speed limits through the offset function.
Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to the supplied material.
Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk has previously said that delaying approval of FSD “will cost lives”.
European Countries Raise Concerns Over FSD
The speed offset function has become one of the issues under consideration as Tesla seeks broader European approval for FSD.
The system controls vehicle speed and steering while requiring the driver to remain attentive.
Several countries, including Sweden, France and the Czech Republic, have raised concerns about the system’s ability to operate above speed limits.
Dutch regulator RDW approved the system in April, with Belgium and several other countries subsequently following.
A vote on EU-wide approval had previously been expected in October but is now unlikely to take place before December, according to the supplied information.
ETSC Questions Scope of Dutch Exemptions
The Dutch approval includes exemptions from a number of rules established by the UN commission. However, the ETSC said the speed offset function was not covered by those exemptions.
RDW did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The ETSC has called on European regulators to reject approval of the speed offset function. The organisation also opposes a separate feature that adjusts driving speed to match surrounding traffic.
The regulatory process remains ongoing, and the supplied material does not indicate whether EU authorities will adopt the ETSC’s position.
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