US auto safety nominee calls for active oversight of self-driving cars
Jonathan Morrison, chief counsel of the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
in the first Trump administration, will testify to the U.S. Senate that autonomous vehicles offer potential benefits but also unique risks.
"NHTSA cannot sit back and wait for problems to arise with such developing technologies, but must demonstrate strong leadership," Morrison said in written testimony seen by Reuters.
The comments suggested NHTSA will continue to closely scrutinize self-driving vehicles. Some critics of the technology had expressed alarm over NHTSA staff cuts this year under a cost-cutting campaign led by Elon Musk, who was a close adviser to Trump and is CEO of self-driving automaker Tesla.
The Musk-Trump alliance prompted some critics to speculate that NHTSA would go easy on self-driving vehicle developers. But the relationship began to unravel in late May over Trump's spending plans, and the two are now locked in a feud.
NHTSA said last month it was seeking information from Tesla about social media videos of robotaxis and self-driving cars Tesla was testing in Austin, Texas. The videos were alleged to show one of the vehicles using the wrong lane and another speeding.
Since October, NHTSA has been investigating 2.4 million Tesla vehicles with full self-driving technology after four reported collisions, including a 2023 fatal crash.
"The technical and policy challenges surrounding these new technologies must be addressed," Morrison's testimony said. "Failure to do so will result in products that the public will not accept and the agency will not tolerate."
Other companies in the self-driving sector also were subjects of NHTSA investigations including Alphabet's Waymo, which last year faced reports its robotaxis may have broken traffic laws. Waymo in May recalled 1,200 self-driving vehicles, and the probe remains open.
Regulatory scrutiny increased after 2023 when a pedestrian was seriously injured by a GM Cruise self-driving car.
The first recorded death of a pedestrian related to self-driving technology was in 2018 in Tempe, Arizona.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
27 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Who is Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian President making headlines again?
Once hailed as a modernising reformer, Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's former president and current deputy head of the Security Council, has reemerged as one of the Kremlin's most provocative voices, escalating tensions with the West through increasingly aggressive statements. This week, Medvedev's threats prompted US President Donald Trump to take a dramatic step: repositioning two US nuclear submarines to unspecified regions. 'Based on the highly provocative statements,' Trump said on Friday, according to The Moscow Times, 'I have ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that.' In a Telegram post on Thursday, Medvedev made ominous references to Russia's Cold War-era 'Dead Hand' nuclear launch system, warning Trump to 'picture The Walking Dead,' a popular post-apocalyptic TV show. His latest remarks came after Trump threatened to impose new sanctions unless Russia agreed to a ceasefire in Ukraine , a demand the Kremlin has all but dismissed. Medvedev responded by accusing Washington of pushing the two nuclear-armed nations toward conflict. These are not isolated incidents. In June, following US airstrikes on nuclear-linked sites in Iran, Medvedev raised the idea that 'a number of countries' were ready to supply Tehran with nuclear warheads. Trump, angered by what he saw as casual nuclear bluffing, warned publicly against such escalations. Once seen as a technocrat open to global engagement, Medvedev, a trained lawyer with no KGB background, now operates as a loyal attack dog for the Kremlin. Medvedev's recent behaviour stands in stark contrast to the man who, as president from 2008 to 2012, once stood beside Barack Obama and spoke of joint global leadership, reported CNN. 'The solution of many world problems depends on the joint will of the United States and Russia,' he said at the time. According to CNN, Medvedev's presidency was widely viewed as a placeholder for Vladimir Putin, who returned to the post in 2012. Medvedev later admitted, 'They often tell me, 'You're a liberal.' I can tell you frankly: I have never had liberal convictions.' Following his demotion to prime minister and then deputy chair of the Security Council, Medvedev now regularly delivers hardline outbursts on social media. Medvedev's pivot has been especially sharp in the wake of Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He has dismissed Ukrainian leaders as 'cockroaches breeding in a jar,' as per CNN, attacked Western officials as 'bastards and degenerates,' and mocked US politics. In a speech earlier this year, he showed a graphic depicting Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Muppets, using the moment to call for the 'destruction of the Kyiv neo-Nazi regime.' However, not everyone is taking Medvedev's threats at face value. Commenting on this week's flare-up, Anatol Lieven of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft called both Medvedev's remarks and Trump's response 'pure theatrics.' 'Having refrained from the use of nuclear weapons over the past three years, Russia is obviously not going to launch them in response to a new round of US sanctions,' he said, as per CNN. (With inputs from The Moscow Times, CNN)
The Print
27 minutes ago
- The Print
Our take on Trump tariffs, Prajwal Revanna conviction & Malegaon blasts—in 50 words
This week, Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on India, a special court acquitted all seven accused in the Malegaon blasts case, and Prajwal Revanna was convicted in a rape case. Read our 50-word editorials on them and much more. 1 August Prajwal Revanna's conviction shows what can happen if police and courts work effectively
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Trump Spotted Selling Kulfi In Pakistan? The Truth Behind The Viral Video
A kulfi seller from Pakistan who resembles Donald Trump has gone viral for his unique style and look. US President Donald Trump has recently made headlines for claiming that America and Pakistan are working together to develop a 'huge oil reserve." Upset over India's ties with Russia, he even said that the two countries might join forces to sell oil to India. While Trump was making these bold political claims, a different 'Trump" was going viral in Pakistan—this one selling kulfi, not oil. Who Is Pakistan's 'Trump'? Saleem Bagga, a kulfi and kheer vendor from Sahiwal in Punjab, Pakistan. What makes him an internet sensation isn't just his delicious desserts but his striking resemblance to Donald Trump. From his golden hair to his mannerisms, Saleem has earned the nickname 'Pakistan's Trump." But there's a deeper story behind his look. Saleem lives with albinism, a genetic condition that affects the skin and hair, giving him his signature pale appearance and light hair—features that unintentionally make him look like the US President. More Than Just a Look-Alike Some people call him 'Pakistan's Donald Trump," while others admire his unique way of engaging customers. Saleem's videos have gone viral on social media, and he admits he never expected such fame. 'I was just selling kulfi," he says, 'but people really liked what I do." Saleem Bagga doesn't just serve kulfi—he sings while doing it. In one YouTube video, he shares that he has loved singing religious songs and popular tunes since childhood. Whether it's women, kids, or the elderly, his musical kulfi-selling style attracts everyone. Trump after realising there was no oil in Pakistan..😂 — Cabinet Minister, Ministry of Memes,🇮🇳 (@memenist_) August 1, 2025 He's a huge fan of Pakistani singing legend Noor Jehan, and he dreams of performing with her if given the chance. He also admires singer Sahir Ali Bagga. Family Man With A Sense of Humour Saleem is married and has children, but with a cheeky smile, he jokes, 'If a good offer comes along, I might consider a second marriage." Trump Look-Alikes Are A Trend Interestingly, Saleem isn't the only famous Trump look-alike. Mike Osman, a British comedian, rose to fame in 2016 for his perfect impersonation of Trump. At one point, Osman thought of dropping the act, but Trump's election victory turned his fortunes around. He now calls himself the UK's No. 1 Trump impersonator, with over 16 million views on TikTok. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
