The investigation into a fatal Tesla collision in London has expanded to include British road safety authorities, as American regulators launch their own inquiry into the vehicle's autonomous driving systems. The crash, which occurred on a residential street in south-west London on Tuesday evening, claimed the life of a 38-year-old pedestrian. The driver, a 42-year-old man, sustained minor injuries.
The UK's Department for Transport confirmed that the Vehicle Certification Agency has been asked to examine the Tesla Model 3 involved. The agency will assess whether the vehicle's Autopilot system was engaged at the time of the incident. A spokesperson said the review would focus on the car's compliance with domestic safety standards.
Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in Washington has opened a formal investigation. The regulator has requested data logs and software details from Tesla. The NHTSA said it was concerned about the vehicle's ability to detect pedestrians in low-light conditions. The London crash took place at 9.45pm, with witnesses reporting poor street lighting.
Tesla's Autopilot system has been under scrutiny globally. The company markets the feature as a driver-assistance tool, but critics argue that its name implies full autonomy. In the UK, the Law Commission has recommended clearer guidelines on the use of such systems. A final report is due next year.
The London crash is one of several recent incidents involving Tesla vehicles in the UK. In 2022, a Tesla struck a stationary fire engine on the M1 motorway. No one was injured in that case, but the incident raised questions about the system's response to emergency vehicles.
UK road safety campaigners have renewed calls for stricter testing of autonomous features. Mary Williams, chief executive of Brake, said the government must ensure that no technology compromises driver responsibility. She added that the current legal framework was ill-equipped to handle the complexities of semi-autonomous vehicles.
Tesla has not commented on the latest investigation. The company has previously stated that Autopilot is designed to be used by an attentive driver who keeps their hands on the wheel. It also notes that drivers must be ready to take control at any time.
The coroner's inquest into the London death has been opened and adjourned pending further inquiries. The Metropolitan Police said they are working with both the UK and US authorities to establish the full circumstances of the collision.
