Tesla's Safety Watchdog Shrinks: What's the Deal?

Elon Musk's team is making big changes at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the agency that keeps an eye on Tesla and other carmakers. NHTSA has recently reduced its workforce, which might affect its ability to oversee Tesla's safety issues. Musk has been vocal about his belief that NHTSA's investigations and recalls are slowing down progress in self-driving technology. The job cuts at NHTSA are part of a broader effort to streamline the federal government. These reductions have come through a mix of firings, buyouts, and layoffs. The agency insists that it still has enough staff to carry out its mission of saving lives and preventing injuries on the road. The Biden administration has actually increased the size of NHTSA's payroll in recent years, so the current staff size is still larger than it was four years ago. Despite the cuts, NHTSA says it has kept the most important positions to ensure safety remains a top priority. The agency has been investigating Tesla's partially automated vehicles and has required automakers to report crash data. This requirement has been a point of contention for Tesla, which has criticized the rule. Some watchdogs are worried that the staff reductions could lead to the elimination of this important safety measure. NHTSA has made it clear that it will continue to enforce safety laws on all vehicle manufacturers, including Tesla. The agency's statement emphasizes that it will not let up on its mission, even with the recent job cuts. The Department of Government Efficiency, which advises on reducing the federal government's size, has been involved in these changes. The Washington Post was the first to report on these job cuts at NHTSA.