Tesla's supervised self-driving system often misreads speed limits, Belgian safety group finds

In July, a road-safety advocacy group from Belgium named Johanna.be tested Tesla’s FSD driver-assistance feature over a 249-mile span, uncovering several concerning issues. The system frequently exceeded speed limits in 20 km/h and 30 km/h zones, sometimes by significant margins. Additionally, the FSD often displayed higher speed limits than those posted, which could mislead drivers about their safe driving speed.

Despite Tesla’s claim that FSD doesn’t speed excessively, Johanna.be's findings suggest otherwise, with the system averaging 44 km/h in 30 km/h zones around Brussels. Even when the vehicle’s screen confirmed the correct 30 km/h speed limit, the FSD continued to display an incorrect 50 km/h limit. Videos showed the FSD-enabled Tesla attempting to overtake cyclists on roads where such behavior is prohibited.

While Johanna.be highlighted the system’s cautious and courteous behavior around pedestrians and cyclists, it emphasized that these positive outcomes don’t negate the documented failures in adhering to speed limits and cycle-street regulations. Both Tesla and the Flemish government’s transportation ministry in Belgium did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.