NHTSA Reviews Petition on Tesla Robotaxi School-Zone Speeds

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reviewing a petition alleging that Tesla robotaxis exceeded active school-zone speed limits, but the agency has not opened a formal investigation. The review will determine whether to grant or deny the petition and move the matter to a full defect investigation. NHTSA received the petition on September 23 and opened its review on October 9, according to agency records. It covers 2026 model-year Tesla Model Y vehicles and Cybercabs operating with Tesla’s automated driving system engaged. The petition links three videos as evidence of the alleged speeding. NHTSA estimates that about 1,000 vehicles are covered and has recorded four reported incidents. The agency’s tally lists no related crashes, injuries or deaths. The estimate is not a confirmed count of active robotaxis; Tesla does not disclose the size of its operating fleet. The allegations remain claims in a petition, rather than findings by the agency. The supplied reports do not detail what the videos show about vehicle speeds or whether school-zone limits were active in each instance. NHTSA’s current review is a preliminary step, not a formal investigation or recall.