Texas Lawmakers Urge Tesla to Delay Robotaxi Launch After Safety Concerns Emerge
- Rahaman Hadisur
- Jun 21
- 3 min read
Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff
H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Business
Texas lawmakers are calling on Tesla to delay the June 22 launch of its highly anticipated robotaxi service in Austin, following alarming results from a safety demonstration involving the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology.
In a joint letter addressed to Eddie Gates, Tesla’s Director of Field Quality, a group of Democratic state legislators requested that the company postpone the rollout until a new state law governing autonomous vehicle (AV) operations takes effect on September 1. The lawmakers cited serious safety concerns and emphasized the need for regulatory compliance under the revised legal framework.
The request follows a controversial live demonstration conducted by safety advocacy group The Dawn Project, in which Tesla vehicles reportedly failed to respond appropriately to standard traffic scenarios, including striking child mannequins and illegally passing a stopped school bus.
Lawmakers Call for Immediate Delay
The letter was signed by Texas Senators Sarah Eckhardt (D-Austin) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo), alongside Representatives Lulu Flores, Vikki Goodwin, Gina Hinojosa, Donna Howard, and Erin Zweiner all from Central Texas.
heir appeal is based on a recent revision to the state’s 2017 AV operations law. The updated framework mandates that commercial AV operators transporting passengers or cargo obtain authorization from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) before operating on public roadways without a human driver.
To receive authorization, operators must demonstrate that each vehicle:
Complies with Texas traffic laws
Includes a functional data recording device
Meets all applicable federal safety standards
Can safely achieve a minimal risk condition if systems fail
Is properly registered, titled, and insured under Texas law
Additionally, operators must submit a First Responder Interaction Plan to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), outlining communication protocols, towing procedures, and safety measures for emergency scenarios involving AVs.
The lawmakers urged Tesla to either delay its robotaxi deployment until the law is in effect or provide immediate documentation showing that its vehicles meet these requirements ahead of time.
Safety Demonstration Sparks Outcry
The Dawn Project, in collaboration with advocacy groups Tesla Takedown and ResistAustin, conducted a live demonstration in Austin on June 12 to assess the performance of Tesla’s FSD version 13.2.9.
In each of the eight test runs, the FSD-equipped vehicle allegedly failed to stop for a school bus and struck a child mannequin placed in its path. According to the advocacy group, the system did not disengage, slow down, or alert the driver in any of the tests.
Dan O’Dowd, founder of The Dawn Project, harshly criticized the demonstration results, stating:
“Tesla’s dangerous and defective self-driving software is a clear and present danger to all road users. The people of Austin never signed up to be crash test dummies for Tesla’s reckless robotaxi experiment.”
He added that the company now has an opportunity to delay the launch, citing regulatory compliance, rather than confronting the core safety issues publicly revealed in the test.
Community Reactions Mixed
Local residents expressed cautious optimism about the future of autonomous vehicles.
“I wouldn’t be opposed,” said Austin resident Klara Jacobs. “I’d try it out maybe just a short trip around the block.”
Matt Jacobs, another Austinite, remarked, “It’s a little weird to see how they react to traffic patterns. But I do think it has potential to keep people safe. Human drivers make mistakes too.”
What Comes Next
Tesla has not yet responded publicly to the lawmakers’ request. If the company chooses to move forward with the June 22 launch, it may be required to prove immediate compliance with the upcoming law to avoid further scrutiny.
Meanwhile, legal, political, and public safety debates surrounding autonomous vehicle technology continue to intensify as state and federal regulators seek to balance innovation with accountability.
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