There Auto Be A Law

Center for Auto Safety

A discussion on auto safety issues and technological developments, in hopes of providing consumers and enthusiasts with a better understanding of modern vehicles, safety systems, and current issues in the auto industry.

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Episodes20

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Yesterday · 1 hr 9 min
Zoox and NHTSA sitting in a tree...
A sharp, skeptical rundown of how federal regulators are easing the path for autonomous vehicles—highlighting a Zoox exemption from key occupant-protection standards, a thinly funded industry-led push for AV “performance standards,” and a Congress bill framed as safety but criticized as preempting state oversight. Plus a “freedom cars” proposal to block mandates for connectivity. We argue that privacy should be fixed by banning data sales, not by ditching safety-enabling tech. Real-world robotaxi risks for blind minors and riders with mobility issues get spotlighted, plus more and recalls. Support Safety! https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/cutting-red-tape-safely-fast-track-automated-vehicle https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/31/2026-15485/zoox-grant-of-temporary-exemption-from-portions-of-various-requirements-of-the-federal-motor-vehicle https://www.politico.com/newsletters/politico-influence/2026/07/29/waymo-meltdowns-revive-av-lobbying-fight-01015521 https://www.jalopnik.com/2227747/sean-duffy-freedom-cars-data-bonded/ https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/cars/driver-assistance-technology-dashboard-ead96bd2 https://electrek.co/2026/08/03/tesla-fsd-v14-lite-hw3-computer-failures/ https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/04/business/uber-sexual-assault-lawsuits.html https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V481-9237.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V487-9835.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V489-5381.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26E050-7856.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26E051-5250.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V495-1973.pdf
July 30 · 1 hr 10 min
Navigating Autonomous Risks
Regulators are starting work on new car-door escape rules after reports of people trapped and killed in Teslas when electric latches fail, but the issue wasn’t treated as a defect requiring a recall. The conversation also blasts Tesla’s vision-only approach as NHTSA seeks an internal “Radar Saves Us” document, and argues AVs operate in a standards-free Wild West. California lawmakers push bills to force robotaxis to cooperate with first responders and allow geofencing. Waymo’s “safer than humans” claim is picked apart for shaky data and missing confidence levels. Backup cameras are praised for cutting child backover injuries and deaths, even as recalls pile up—especially Ford’s. Support Safety. Support the Show! https://electrek.co/2026/07/21/nhtsa-tesla-radar-saves-us-document-fsd-probe/ https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/28/san-francisco-waymo-washington-01013227 https://sfstandard.com/2026/07/22/dave-cortese-sb-1246-robotaxi-qa/ https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-07-26/multiple-people-injured-pico-union-collision-waymo https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/trumps-transportation-department-launches-new-initiative-using-ai-modernize https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/waymos-driverless-cars-crash-less-often-than-people https://www.jalopnik.com/2222264/iihs-says-waymos-are-safer-than-human-drivers/ https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/general/do-backup-cameras-make-driving-safer/ar-AA28HHGC https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V468-6532.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V470-7045.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V458-5745.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V473-2438.pdf
July 23 · 1 hr 4 min
Emergency! Robotaxis in the Way.
Robotaxis rack up clashes with first responders in Austin, and the “training” offered is click-through PR. A critique argues autonomous-vehicle safety isn’t comparable to medicine because AVs lack rigorous independent certification, accountability, and transparency, and “edge cases” are really unsafe control failures. Tesla’s remote assistance reportedly drove a robotaxi into a stump, raising doubts about remote driving and camera-only sensing. DC debates highlight equity claims for blind riders alongside safety and exploitation risks Plus Recalls! Support Safety! https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/other/as-robotaxis-expand-in-austin-challenges-with-first-responders-highlight-limits-of-local-control/ar-AA28nqRb https://www.ghsa.org/resource-hub/waymo-first-responder-av-training https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/14/robotaxi-riders-falling-asleep/ https://www.noemamag.com/why-we-demand-perfect-machines-yet-tolerate-human-carnage/ https://electrek.co/2026/07/20/tesla-robotaxi-remote-operator-crash-houston/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2026/07/16/waymo-really-wants-operate-dc-does-dc-want-waymo/ https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/uber-s-robotaxi-lobbying-effort-puts-it-on-a-collision-course-with-waymo/ar-AA27NXOM https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/fhwa-removes-bike-lanes-speed-cameras-safety-measures-list/825538/ https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V441-0046.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V451-5134.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V452-5146.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26E044-9233.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V448-4416.pdf
July 16 · 58 min
Edge Cases with Phil Koopman
Phil Koopman is back. Federal regulators warned autonomous vehicle operators to fix dangerous interactions with first responders and promised meetings and recall pressure, sparking debate over NHTSA’s limited tools and the need to preserve state enforcement of driving behavior. A deep dive reframed “edge cases” as situations vehicles aren’t trained to handle—often not rare and sometimes severe—arguing geofencing and databases aren’t foolproof, while remote assistance looks like a permanent crutch with its own failure modes. There’s also a bright congestion-pricing win in NYC for ambulance times, plus recalls for Kia Telluride fire risk, Honda Odyssey camera corrosion, and Ram 1500 headlamp flicker. Support Safety! https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/av-developers-automated-vehicle-that-cannot-safely-interact-first-responders-danger https://philkoopman.substack.com/p/nhtsa-broadens-scope-of-acceptable https://avsafety.substack.com/p/edge-cases-and-the-long-tail-of-safety https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/phil-junko-on-av-safety/id1894854190 https://waymo.com/blog/2026/07/time-geo-crash-risk-effect/ https://www.jalopnik.com/2212493/nyc-congestion-pricing-cut-ems-response-times-by-one-minute/ https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V430-6699.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V423-4353.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V421-4385.pdf
July 9 · 1 hr 8 min
Waymo's Firework Fiasco
Waymo has a rough July 4th in San Francisco: robotaxis roll over live fireworks, one catches fire, and a traffic jam forms with a long line of stalled vehicles; in another case, two 15-year-olds ride one while allegedly drinking and shooting projectiles. A Tesla Semi crash kills two people, raising questions about automatic emergency braking and driver monitoring, while regulators still lack a finalized heavy-truck AEB standard. A deep dive celebrates the right-edge white line’s safety history, then critiques “independent” AV safety reviews and rosy government messaging. A model argues broad deployment of proven safety tech (AEB, speed assistance, alcohol detection) beats AV hype. Recalls cover Ford pedestrian sounds, Mach‑E differential failure, Mustang wiper glitches, and a GM third-row power-fold seat hazard. Support Auto Safety https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/terrifying-moment-waymo-drives-exploding-205608345.html https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/waymo-firework-fire-san-francisco-22333244.php https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/dozens-waymos-clog-presidio-july-142239118.html https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/bay-area-teen-waymo-riders-nabbed-for-allegedly-shooting-projectiles-from-robotaxi/ar-AA27pze0 More links on the site.
July 2 · 1 hr 4 min
We don't need no stinkin' brake pedals
Regulators consider letting self-driving vehicles skip manual brake pedals—raising alarms about emergencies and unproven safety metrics. Tesla settles a deadly crash case as critics blast BS safety claims. Meanwhile, “quality” awards and China-car fearmongering get called out, Nvidia’s robotaxi safety talk is vague, steering-wheel “bling” is warned to turn airbags into shrapnel and recalls hit Hyundai, GM, Toyota/Subaru, and Ford. Support the show! https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/wayve-self-driving-technology-2e917ebd https://www.jalopnik.com/2203830/nhtsa-plan-autonomous-car-brakes-nearvous/ https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/general/us-proposes-to-drop-brake-pedal-requirements-for-self-driving-vehicles/ar-AA26xoGu https://arstechnica.com/cars/2026/06/feds-deny-polestar-authorization-to-sell-cars-in-us-from-model-year-2027/ https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/elon-musk/senator-demands-tesla-held-accountable-alleged-self-driving-crash-rcna351690 https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/18/rivian-owners-file-lawsuit-alleging-false-promises-on-self-driving-features/ https://www.wsj.com/business/airlines/airlines-are-installing-new-luxury-seats-but-no-one-is-allowed-to-sit-in-them-14e2878c https://safetyresearch.net/aftermarket-car-bling-continues-to-inflict-harm/ https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2026/06/30/child-hot-car-deaths-2026-data-maps/90736117007/ https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V400-5456.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V399-0136.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V393-3335.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V402-1380.pdf
June 25 · 1 hr 6 min
Ford's Record Recall Marathon
A New York Times deep dive ties the rise of huge pickups and SUVs to pedestrian deaths, spotlighting poor visibility and high hoods that “punt” people into a run-over path, while lawmakers push the Pedestrian Protection Act to force tougher federal scrutiny and consumer ratings. Automakers deflect toward road design and hype pedestrian-braking tech even as industry fights related rules. A fatal high-speed Tesla crash raises questions about driver-assist overrides, data transparency, and whether automation breeds complacency. A peer-reviewed argument says “edge cases” are inevitable in AI cars because testing every failure combination is impossible. Meanwhile: Waymo recalls, GM revives autonomy ambitions, and Ford unleashes a blizzard of recalls—many fixing earlier failed fixes. Support the show! https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/06/21/us/trucks-suv-pedestrian-crashes.html https://scanlon.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2028 https://gmauthority.com/blog/2026/06/increased-pickup-and-suv-size-blamed-for-rising-pedestrian-fatalities/ https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/21/us/tesla-autopilot-crash-texas.html https://electrek.co/2026/06/23/tesla-fsd-katy-crash-driver-pedal/ https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-senators-ask-review-teslas-full-self-driving-safety-data-citing-reuters-2026-06-16/ https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/10/waymo-says-it-built-a-better-benchmark-for-comparing-robotaxis-to-humans/ https://thenextweb.com/news/gm-autonomous-driving-robotaxi-sterling-anderson-super-cruise https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26E035-7637.pdf https://www.usatoday.com/story/cars/recalls/2026/06/20/car-recall-leaders-2026-ford-stellantis/90611355007/ More recalls on the website.
June 18 · 53 min
Cathie Wood: Fraud or Fool?
A roast of autonomous-vehicle hype calls out bold Tesla/robotaxi cost and safety claims as unsupported, then shifts to California’s proposed replacement-tire efficiency rules and the tradeoffs between fuel economy, tread life, and tire waste. A wider look at big-profit SUVs and a snarky take on banning Chinese “surveillance” cars leads into why the EU’s AI Act matters—and what it may still miss on inspection and validation. A deep dive explains how GNSS/GPS can be jammed or spoofed, creating serious self-driving risk. The mood turns grim with a spike in driveway front-over/back-over child deaths tied to huge blind zones, then ends with road-rage stats and Arkansas taking the dubious crown. Support Safety! https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/26/06/53077645/cathie-wood-asks-elon-musk-about-tesla-robotaxi-parking-ticket https://youtu.be/tz23G_UXCGA?si=LoVfgLmhaMyMWe03 https://electriccarsreport.com/2026/06/toyota-to-demonstrate-liquid-hydrogen-powered-tr-lh2-racing-prototype-at-le-mans/ https://www.jalopnik.com/2187888/new-california-proposal-could-ban-enthusiast-tires/ https://arstechnica.com/cars/2026/06/michigan-politicians-want-to-ban-chinese-badged-cars-from-even-visiting-the-us/ https://www.automotive-iq.com/generative-ai/articles/eu-ai-act-explained-for-automotive-what-changes-for-ai-vehicle-safety-adas-and-autonomous-driving https://www.wbiw.com/2026/06/09/10-children-killed-in-driveway-and-parking-lot-tragedies-in-just-18-days/ https://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/states-with-the-worst-road-rage
June 11 · 1 hr 3 min
Texas mandates seat belts but forgets the funding
The “magic” Donut Labs battery gets debunked as ordinary lithium‑ion, tied to a crowdfunding-fueled scam with big promises and no manufactured cells, while real solid-state progress is still coming from major automakers. Americans are keeping cars longer (now ~13 years), slowing the spread of safety tech like advanced AEB. Driverless delivery trucks tout reliability and UL 4600 talk, but robotaxis draw scrutiny for safety claims, red-light issues, and a stalled vehicle that delayed firefighters. Zoox safety marketing and exemptions get criticized, Texas is dragged for an unfunded school-bus seatbelt mandate, liquid hydrogen gets a quick reality check, and multiple recalls hit seatbelts, moonroofs, and fire risks (Jeep, Pacifica PHEV). Support the show! https://electrek.co/2026/06/08/donut-lab-solid-state-battery-exposed-lithium-ion-fraud/ https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/americans-are-keeping-their-cars-longer-than-ever-and-remaking-the-auto-industry-c169e494 https://www.wsj.com/business/logistics/driverless-trucks-pepsico-texas-arizona-arkansas-ee4495f0?mod=hp_lead_pos11 https://edition.cnn.com/us/waymo-robotaxis-safety-invs https://www.yahoo.com/news/videos/bodycam-shows-cop-trying-move-102600011.html https://abc13.com/post/texas-school-districts-struggling-costs-complying-bus-seatbelt-law/19235825/ https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V356-0668.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V344-7460.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V346-4589.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V363-5757.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V362-0804.pdf
June 4 · 1 hr 9 min
Tesla's Unusual Detours, the Misplaced Panic of Kill Switches, and AV Trucking Truths
A whirlwind tour of automotive chaos: skepticism toward bold self-driving claims and cherry-picked safety stats, a Tesla crash into a California home, and BYD promising to cover liability when its driver-assist is used “properly.” The discussion also torches rosy “facts” from the autonomous trucking lobby, argues drunk-driving prevention tech isn’t a privacy apocalypse, and flags “zero-gravity” seats as a potential safety risk. A battery deep-dive compares energy density, charging, lifespan, and unanswered cost questions. Recalls roll in for Ford suspension joints, Toyota dashboards, Honda seat sensors affecting airbags, Nissan blank instrument clusters, and GM airbag inflators with rupture risk. Support Auto Safety! https://www.reuters.com/investigations/why-teslas-ai-trainers-dont-trust-its-self-driving-tech-or-its-safety-stats-2026-05-28/ https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67ee365c25e6530594bd40c2/688a2ff712e094608196a6b3_AV%20Truck%20Factsheet_.pdf https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/kill-switch-law-means-next-080330472.html https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/tesla-autopilot-crashes-claremont-home-102130808.html https://cleantechnica.com/2026/06/01/byd-takes-on-crash-liability-when-its-driver-assist-system-is-active/ https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/china-releases-draft-safety-requirements-ev-battery-recycling-2026-05-26/ https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V340-0609.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V341-2541.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V332-6150.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V331-8971.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V329-0487.pdf
May 28 · 1 hr 5 min
Autonomous Adjacent Vehicles
Waymo’s “final remedy” for flooded roads amounts to geofencing around flash-flood warnings, raising doubts about sensor limits, end-to-end AI hype, and slow remote assistance—especially after a robotaxi reportedly sped through a freeway construction zone with police chasing it, prompting a temporary freeway pause. AV's need to identify themselves to other road users. Tesla is criticized for selectively unredacting crash narratives, Uber is accused of pushing liability limits and manipulating self-insurance to bankroll AV expansion, plus more and recalls. Support the Show! https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/21/waymo-pauses-service-in-four-cities-as-robotaxis-keep-driving-into-floods/ https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/waymo-suspends-freeway-rides-pauses-atlanta-operations-amid-safety-fixes-2026-05-21/ https://philkoopman.substack.com/p/robotaxi-safety-problems-are-the https://www.autoevolution.com/news/waymo-suspends-all-freeway-rides-after-customer-shares-neck-breaking-ride-from-hell-270360.html https://electrek.co/2026/05/15/tesla-unredacts-robotaxi-crash-narratives-nhtsa/ https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/24/us/waymo-robot-taxis-blind.html https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Facing-an-existential-threat_-How-Uber-is-navigating-clashes-with-trial-attorneys-assault-lawsuits-and-competition-Los-Angeles-Times.pdf https://arstechnica.com/cars/2026/05/these-clever-active-beam-headlights-are-finally-coming-to-america/ https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V320-0076.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V316-9486.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V308-8651.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V307-7963.pdf
May 21 · 56 min
Super Speeders, Waymo and Water Hazards plus Dangerous Ads
Car ads keep glorifying speed while broadcast rules obsess over seat belts and ignore speeding, and horsepower hype is called mostly useless for real driving. In Europe, some brands accept lower Euro NCAP scores—often split by trim and optional safety packs—while U.S. ratings feel like everyone gets five stars as testing lags and funding stays thin. A federal bill would tack on an annual EV fee to help pay for roads. Waymo's earn side-eye for flooding blunders, blocking fire stations, and questionable “evidence” from a doctor-backed pro-AV letter, while bold promises claim humans will barely drive in 10 years. NYC may force repeat speed-camera offenders to install GPS-based speed limiters with a daily fee. Recalls include Jeep Cherokee rollaway risk, Tesla and Mercedes display/camera glitches, plus Waymo flood-response issues, and an AV Ride probe for crashes and red-light behavior. Support the show! https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/more-car-ads-promote-vehicle-performance-despite-dangers-of-speed https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/buying/why-some-carmakers-are-intentionally-settling-for-lower-safety-scores/ar-AA23uFoK https://arstechnica.com/cars/2026/05/bipartisan-bill-in-congress-includes-130-annual-ev-registration-fee/ https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/nyregion/nyc-speed-limiters-cars-frequent-speeders.html https://futurism.com/advanced-transport/waymo-recall-floodwater https://opmed.doximity.com/articles/an-open-letter-from-the-medical-community-on-america-s-road-deaths https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/2026/05/18/elon-musk-sees-broad-use-of-self-driving-cars-without-human-monitors/90144524007/ https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V290-1107.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V283-7135.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V281-7837.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26E026-6527.pdf
April 30 · 1 hr 4 min
Churning the Nonsense: The Waymo files
A flood sweeps away Waymo's in San Antonio and we dig into safety claims, and why they really don't get tickets. Zook's terms are flagged for burying major warnings, forcing arbitration, and capping liability. Lawmakers are criticized for framing alcohol-impairment prevention tech as “surveillance” while carmakers already monetize driver data. Plus NHTSA is underfunded truck-safety oversight, Tesla’s retrofits for “full self-driving,” police pursuit tech like grapplers and drones, and a batch of recalls from Ford, Volkswagen/Audi, and Jaguar Land Rover. Support Safety! https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/waymo-san-antonio-still-paused-212804570.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBNfHUhmdq8 https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2026/04/24/robotaxis-dc-bill-charles-allen/ https://newrepublic.com/article/209475/waymos-wont-solve-traffic-deaths https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/24/opinion/trucking-safety.html https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/ready-next-car-decide-too-145928352.html https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/exclusive-kill-switch-amendment-could-shake-up-the-capitol-hill-fisa-fight/ar-AA21RESZ https://insideevs.com/news/793786/tesla-hw3-retrofit-micro-factories/ https://nypost.com/2026/04/10/us-news/california-congresswoman-pushes-for-technology-to-reduce-deadly-car-chases/ https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V238-6269.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V240-2255.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V258-9757.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V248-5125.pdf
April 23 · 1 hr 4 min
Chameleon Carriers, "Slammers", Waymo and Tesla. Is there anywhere safe to drive?
A New Orleans scheme staged “slammer” crashes into 18-wheelers to cash in on big insurance, spotlighting why dash cams and truck cameras matter and how fraud raises costs for everyone. Regulators also keep letting dangerous “chameleon” trucking companies rebrand and roll on, even with glaring red flags. Meanwhile, phantom braking drama shows how widespread driver-assist tech still lacks strong standards before 2029. Self-driving hype gets shredded over remote supervision, shaky safety claims, and lawsuits over undelivered promises—followed by a grab bag of major recalls from Ford, Honda, Kia/Hyundai, and Ram. support the show! https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/04/20/the-car-crash-conspiracy https://www.aol.com/lifestyle/why-letting-cheaper-chinese-cars-140036080.html?guccounter=1 https://www.cbsnews.com/projects/2026/chameleon-carrier-trucks/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9Ca5DzYk2A https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2026/honda-wins-phantom-braking-lawsuit-trial.shtml https://electrek.co/2026/04/18/tesla-robotaxi-launches-dallas-houston-small-geofences/ https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/car-owners-are-revolting-over-teslas-self-driving-promises-b76edcdd https://www.tennessean.com/story/money/cars/2026/04/14/waymo-selfdriving-cars-nashville-strange-behavior-metro-police/89588326007/ https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V237-6816.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V227-3612.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V232-8722.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V229-0144.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V244-8175.pdf
April 16 · 1 hr
Automated Gullibility
A wide-ranging safety rant links soaring car prices and shrinking fuel economy to policy shifts, then flirts with a fix: let Chinese automakers compete—if they build in the U.S., ditch subsidies, and address cybersecurity. "Ghost” trucking fleets game DOT numbers to erase violations and push unsafe hours, begging for tighter oversight. Europe’s tiny Tesla FSD “quiz” gets mocked as flimsy liability theater, while both Musk and Waymo safety boasts are slammed as data-cherry-picking. Bright spot: $50M for ambulance blood transfusions at crash scenes. Bonus tips: carry a car fire extinguisher. Support the show! https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/04/13/opinion/affordable-car-cost.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylbvU-lmcpI https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-dangerous-trucking-schemes-putting-americans-at-risk-60-minutes-transcript/ https://insideevs.com/news/792801/europe-fsd-quiz-to-activate/ https://electrek.co/2026/04/08/musk-tesla-fsd-10x-safer-claim-doesnt-hold-up/ https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/04/13/blood-transfusion-trauma-patients-connecticut https://www.cbtnews.com/euro-ncap-says-u-s-politics-slowing-vehicle-safety-progress/ https://saferoads.org/2026-av-tech-truck-poll/ https://www.autosafety.org/autonomous-vehicle-checklist/ https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/fire-extinguisher-for-cars-do-you-need-one-and-which-type-is-best/ar-AA20RunG https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V218-6077.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V216-4969.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V209-1445.pdf
April 9 · 1 hr 2 min
Speed cameras, AV regulations and Waymo fails
DC speed cameras nail extreme “super violators,” but out-of-state tags and “it wasn’t me driving” excuses help offenders dodge consequences. Autonomous-vehicle companies are accused of misleading lawmakers by touting tiny “latency” numbers while downplaying real-world delays from human-in-the-loop remote operations and refusing to reveal how often remote operators intervene. New traffic-fatality estimates show improvement from the COVID spike, but officials are criticized for taking credit while skipping key tech rules on distraction, impairment, and speed limiting. NTSB warns hands-off systems like Ford BlueCruise can fuel complacency and misuse, urges better driver monitoring, speed limits for automation, and stronger crash data collection. Plus: Colorado’s average-speed cameras, Waymo wrong-way school/drive-thru blunders and more. Support the show! https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2026/03/28/speed-cameras-dc-scofflaws/ https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/markey-investigation-into-autonomous-vehicle-companies-use-of-remote-assistance-operators-reveals-serious-safety-gaps-lack-of-transparency https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/traffic-deaths-2025-early-estimates-2024-annual https://apnews.com/article/ford-blue-cruise-ntsb-autonomous-crash-00680c04c9201f3967848b6316ff6a90 https://www.motor1.com/news/792050/colorado-automated-speed-limit-cameras/ https://www.ktsa.com/report-waymo-autonomous-vehicle-goes-wrong-way-in-school-zone/ https://www.motorbiscuit.com/video-shows-waymo-robotaxi-failing-at-an-la-drive-thru-in-viral-disaster-way-way-what-you-doin/ https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V203-3945.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V199-1493.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V204-7221.pdf https://www.motortrend.com/news/stop-sale-recall-2025-2026-chevy-corvette-turn-signal
April 2 · 1 hr 9 min
Human in the loop and better dummies
IIHS data shows bundled driver-assistance features like automatic emergency braking, lane support, and rear AEB cut crash claims, even if repairs cost more. It would be great if there were federal standards. New crash-test rules leave Detroit brands behind, while a NYTimes video on women’s higher crash risk highlights the long-standing male-biased dummy problem and the need for more funding, better testing, and improved simulation models. Gaslights, NYC congestion pricing success, 12V vs 48V electrical systems, Nissan Leaf app shutdown anger, and recalls from Hyundai, Toyota and Jeep. Support the show! https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/safety-benefits-stack-up-from-driver-assistance-features https://www.aol.com/lifestyle/not-one-detroit-car-made-130036019.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm9hIjMoB5E https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/27/opinion/congestion-pricing-traffic-new-york.html https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/iihs-pushes-improvements-in-crash-avoidance-with-2026-awards https://time.com/article/2026/03/27/what-cities-need-to-consider-before-allowing-self-driving-cars/ https://cleversolarpower.com/48v-vs-12v-battery/ https://www.redwaybattery.com/understanding-the-iec-62133-safety-standard-for-48v-batteries/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-humans-powering-autonomous-vehicle-operations/id1811181944?i=1000758242016 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/14/nissan-leaf-app-shutdown-nissanconnect-ev-app https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V169-9259.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V179-5005.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V766-8727.pdf
March 26 · 1 hr 13 min
Arrest that computer driver!?!? With Phil Koopman.
This week we're joined by Phil Koopman. We dig into Waymo’s safety claims, noting outdated or unsupported references, shifting software stacks, and metrics that can look better simply because vehicles crash while empty. Plus we highlight regulatory and liability gray zones, arguing “remote assistance” still makes safety-critical driving decisions while industry language tries to make nobody accountable, and warns proposed laws could label the ADS as the “driver.” Other topics include a complaint alleging unaccompanied minors ride in AVs, a wrong-way AV incident, rosy media takes on UK AVs, Tesla Semi hype and recalls/investigations involving power seats, rear cameras, and Tesla FSD in poor visibility. Support the show! https://avsc.sae-itc.com/publication/avsc-04-2023 https://cagigunion.org/news/2026/03/17/california-gig-workers-union-files-complaint-against-waymo-for-allegedly-violating-california-permit-by-transporting-unaccompanied-minors/ https://philkoopman.substack.com/p/why-robotaxis-have-an-inherent-3x https://www.kgw.com/article/news/national/watch-driverless-waymo-car-caught-going-wrong-way/507-00a51f30-e0ed-458e-b8d5-85c6dbbce19b https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/utah-lawmakers-approve-legal-framework-120225763.html https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/19/my-ride-in-a-self-driving-taxi-london https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/03/21/autonomous-vehicles-dc-waymo-ddot/ https://www.wsj.com/business/logistics/truckers-tesla-fans-semi-b0a66e6e https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/03/after-hack-some-ignition-interlock-users-couldnt-start-their-own-cars/ https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V160-3144.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V173-8909.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V165-2897.pdf
March 19 · 1 hr 4 min
Waymo's People Problem
A record number of people are fleeing crash scenes, false claims about the accuracy of passive alcohol detection and we explore Waymo's problem with people outside the vehicle. Waymo customers have been getting surrounded and stuck by people that do not like Waymo. Not sure a software update can fix this. More and recalls. Support the show! https://newsroom.aaa.com/2026/03/fatal-hit-and-run-crashes-reach-record-high-aaa-foundation-study-finds/ https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a70769064/nhtsa-to-congress-advanced-impaired-driving-detection-technology-not-ready/ https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/04/self-driving-car-technology-tesla-crash/686054/ https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/17/technology/trapped-inside-a-self-driving-car-during-an-anti-robot-attack.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/17/business/self-driving-semi-trucks-texas-us.html https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/lets-prioritize-safety-in-the-vehicles-that-power-our-economy https://interestingengineering.com/energy/donut-lab-solid-state-verge-motorcycle-battery-test https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V128-5701.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V135-2222.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V138-8349.pdf
March 12 · 57 min
How AV companies are stalling—and not just their cars!
The NTSB investigation of a Santa Monica school-zone crash raises questions about remote “assistance” that looks like a human driving task, while San Francisco records show robotaxis stalling and turning police and firefighters into unpaid roadside help. We dismantles media claims that AVs are clearly safer, arguing the cited studies rely on old, limited Waymo data, questionable benchmarks, and company-authored “peer review.” Fear mongering around driver monitoring, Tesla and railroads, recalls and more. Support the show! https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/HWY26FH008.aspx https://www.fastcompany.com/91501807/waymo-robotaxis-san-francisco-uncovered-records-exclusive https://futurism.com/advanced-transport/emergency-responders-roadside-assistance-waymo https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/federal-surveillance-tech-becomes-mandatory-161321992.html https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-seeks-comment-zoox-petition-deploy-robotaxis-without-steering-wheels-2026-03-10/ https://usa.streetsblog.org/2026/03/05/study-academics-agree-avs-will-super-charge-vmt-driving-car-dependence-autonomous-vehicles-waymo https://www.iihs.org/api/datastoredocument/bibliography/2357 https://electrek.co/2026/03/09/tesla-fsd-drives-through-railroad-crossing-barriers-viral-video/ https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V117-4642.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V123-2100.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V124-0858.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V112-2534.pdf