There Auto Be A Law

This is a re-run of an episode we did with Phil Koopman from last July. Still worthy of a listen. The original show notes are here:https://www.autosafety.org/podcast/artificial-intelligence-and-auto-safety-with-phil-koopman-part-2/

Hawaii is using AI to enhance road safety while Telsa uses it to make dubious claims about the future and the lawsuits are continuing. Fred continues his long-distance romance with Waymo, California makes a lemon out it's lemon law and this week we have zero rear view camera recalls.Donate to support the show!https://apnews.com/article/ai-transportation-guardrails-potholes-hawaii-san-jose-9b34a62b2994177ece224a8ed9645577https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/10/confusion-over-slow-down-move-over-laws-puts-roadside-responders-at-risk/https://app.publicnewsservice.org/story/advocates-weakened-auto-lemon-law-hurts-consumers/dadd0e79-60ef-4a97-8b1b-e0ff9b549953https://philkoopman.substack.com/p/new-tesla-fsd-safety-datahttps://electrek.co/2025/10/29/tesla-robotaxis-keep-crashing-despite-safety-monitors/https://electrek.co/2025/11/17/tesla-robotaxi-had-3-more-crashes-now-7-total/https://electrek.co/2025/11/17/tesla-settles-another-lawsuit-autopilot-crash-4th-losing-trial/https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/11/tesla-safety-driver-falls-asleep-during-passengers-robotaxi-ride/https://www.autosafety.org/autonomous-vehicle-checklist/https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V766-2002.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V764-4046.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V767-6304.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V785-7898.pdf

Hands-free driving and driver-assist technologies get studied, Tesla makes claims, Fred pushes Waymo to provide more data. And recalls galore. Support the show!https://news.mccombs.utexas.edu/research/driving-assistance-systems-could-backfire/https://www.cars.com/articles/hands-free-driving-tech-isnt-as-great-as-you-might-think-518276/https://www.msn.com/en-us/public-safety-and-emergencies/general/vehicle-safety-alerts-that-change-driver-habits-are-key-to-saving-lives/ar-AA1QdO3Khttps://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a69382722/ohio-senator-looks-up-democratic-colleagues-vin/https://www.autosafety.org/autonomous-vehicle-checklist/https://gmauthority.com/blog/2025/11/these-gm-vehicles-can-no-longer-download-apps-through-their-infotainment-system/https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/boston-weighs-clampdown-on-driverless-taxis-in-threat-to-waymo/ar-AA1Pqpi9https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V735-5129.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V741-6856.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V721-9987.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25E070-6420.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25E071-6571.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V744-2593.pdf

Phil Koopman, an accomplished automotive safety engineer, delves into the perplexing issue of sudden unintended acceleration. He highlights the evolution from mechanical to electronic throttles and the dangers of misinterpreted data blaming drivers instead of faulty systems. Phil recounts the Audi 5000 case and explains legal tendencies that obscure engineering failures. He warns about the risks of complex software systems and the industry’s pushback against safety improvements, all while emphasizing the need for better regulatory standards.

The hosts dive into serious automotive safety concerns, discussing alarming counterfeit airbag issues leading to fatalities. Tesla's controversial driving modes spark debate about responsibility in automation. They also tackle drowsy driving, suggesting innovative detection tech could greatly reduce risks. The idea of cars warning other drivers about hazardous behavior is proposed, aiming for a more defensive road environment. Plus, quirky anecdotes about squirrels causing vehicle damage add a lighthearted touch amidst the grave topics.

Waymo's ignores school bus stop signs and warnings, Tesla releases something called "Mad Max Mode" cause they are sociopaths and there is little oversight and regulation for these vehicles. IIHS explores the crash data around headlight glare and we dive into recalls.Support the show!https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/us-investigates-waymo-robotaxis-over-safety-around-school-buses/ar-AA1OP2BDhttps://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/waymo-autonomous-vehicles-washington-dc-council-charles-allen-ddot-safety-study/65-470f58be-8c9d-4b5b-96fe-d831a9b1db50https://jacobin.com/2025/10/self-driving-cars-morrison-nhtsahttps://www.iihs.org/news/detail/headlight-complaints-abound-but-glare-related-crashes-havent-increasedhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=d_apmcDJGS8https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/10/48268811/elon-musks-tesla-risks-nhtsa-scrutiny-with-fsd-v14-1-2s-mad-max-update-that-ignores-speed-limitshttps://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/10/16/commercial-trucker-drivers-english-proficiency-trump/https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V676-8306.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V678-9029.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V685-7473.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V686-8702.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25E068-2476.pdf

Tesla gets another investigation from NHTSA... hopefully this will lead to better regulations before it's too late. China drafts a safety framework that is better than the US and Europe, we introduce our newest project which is helping lawmakers understand computer drivers and Toyota wins recalls.Support the show!https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/10/tesla-fsd-gets-worse-at-driving-nhtsa-opens-new-investigation/https://www.cbtnews.com/senators-urge-safety-review-of-tesla-full-self-driving-system/https://carnewschina.com/2025/09/24/new-safety-requirements-for-vehicle-door-handles-released-for-public-comment-in-china/https://time.com/collections/best-inventions-2025/7318493/figure-03/https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/autobrake-slashes-rear-end-crash-risk-associated-with-red-light-safety-camerashttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V668-0485.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V656-3686.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V657-9208.pdf

Zoox is asking to be free of safety regulations, Rivian realizes that copying Tesla's door handles is a bad idea, DC cracks down on traffic scofflaws with automated speed cameras and some weeny wants to remove the camera. Drunk driving detection should go mainstream, Waymo plays with stats and lots of recalls.Support the show!https://techcrunch.com/2025/09/24/zoox-asks-federal-regulators-for-exemption-to-launch-a-commercial-robotaxi-service/https://www.autoblog.com/news/government-shutdown-chaos-why-americas-auto-industry-could-be-brought-to-its-kneeshttps://www.carscoops.com/2025/10/rivian-becomes-latest-automaker-to-rethink-high-tech-door-handles/https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/legal/automated-traffic-enforcement-cameras-brian-schwalb-scott-perry-steer-act-charles-allen-dangerous-drivers-speed-camera/65-390e2258-24d2-470f-9b4f-ce26c88f1999https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/sep/29/waymo-illegal-u-turn-driverless-carhttps://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nycs-e-bike-speed-limit-will-take-effect-in-october/https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V636-0319.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V628-3952.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V631-2095.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V655-4885.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V649-8440.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V645-1129.pdf

This week we dive into automated driving systems and their need for metrics we can all understand with returning guest, Dr. Jeff Wishart. Jeff recently published a couple of articles focused on the dynamic driving task, modern convenience and safety features and how to better understand these for all in the industry. Hopefully, regulators will take note and use Jeff's work as a resource in their work.Support the show!http://legacy.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/epr2025013/http://legacy.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/2025-01-8672/https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dmitri-dolgov_safety-in-action-as-another-car-pulls-into-activity-7370922904634445824-9ouC

Fred's out this week. Phil Koopman is in and he educates Anthony on the complexity of rear view cameras. It's all about the Benjamin's. Mainly it's a cost thing, Plus recalls.Donate for safety!https://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2025/09/22/new-nhtsa-head-looks-forward-to-unleashing-american-innovation/https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/nhtsa-reports-sharp-drop-traffic-fatalities-first-half-2025https://insideevs.com/news/773202/volvo-ex90-software-issues/https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V607-6198.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V595-0339.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V615-0768.pdfhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V611-3314.pdf