Another B.C. Tesla driver caught asleep at the wheel

France has commenced testing two vehicles equipped with Tesla's Full Self Driving (FSD) system to evaluate the advanced driver assistance technology, as announced by French Minister of Transport Philippe Tabarot. This move could potentially lead to the approval of Tesla's autonomous driving technology in Europe. The Netherlands' road authority, RDW, had previously granted a provisional approval to Tesla's FSD system for use on Dutch roads in April, prompting Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, and Lithuania to follow suit ahead of a bloc-wide vote on the plan that could occur as early as next month.

FSD, a driver assistance system capable of accelerating, braking, and steering a car while the human driver remains prepared to intervene, does not enable fully self-driving cars. In July, Tabarot had expressed concerns over the safety trade-offs, particularly concerning speed limitations and driver attention warnings, deeming the system unsuitable for approval.

However, after engaging in constructive discussions with Tesla CEO Elon Musk over several months, Tabarot believes they have resolved the technical adaptations necessary for France to support the technology's approval.

With the provision of two FSD-enabled vehicles by Tesla, France has entered a new phase of on-road testing. A photo shared alongside the announcement depicted Musk on a computer screen during a video conference with Tabarot. The meeting was initiated by Tesla, according to a transport ministry source. Tesla has previously stated that obtaining FSD approval is crucial for boosting sales in Europe.

To verify the data provided by the Netherlands and Tesla, as well as to test the system on French roads and urban areas with unique designs, Tabarot emphasized the importance of conducting their own tests. France aims to have the test results ready in mid to late September, positioning them to vote on a decision by the EU bloc in the coming months.

The EU's Technical Committee on Motor Vehicles is scheduled to meet on October 6, with a potential vote taking place that day or at the group's next meeting in early December. Tabarot expressed optimism that Tesla would be willing to address their concerns, enabling the technology to be approved across Europe.