Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Under Fire: Senators Warn of ‘Catastrophic’ Train Crossing Failures

Two U.S. senators are urging federal regulators to crack down on Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology after alarming reports of failures to detect railroad crossings, raising fears of potentially deadly accidents.

Tesla’s autonomous driving ambitions are facing fresh political and regulatory pressure. Democratic senators Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut have formally requested that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigate deeper into Full Self-Driving (FSD). Their concern stems from reports that the system fails to properly identify and respond to railroad crossings – a flaw that could lead to catastrophic outcomes.

A Troubled History of Investigations

The NHTSA has been monitoring Tesla’s driver-assistance software for years, and the scrutiny intensified in late 2024 after four collisions occurred in poor-visibility conditions such as fog, sun glare, and airborne dust. In January 2025, the agency expanded its review to 2.6 million Teslas linked to a remote vehicle-movement feature. Additionally, Tesla’s robotaxi program in Austin, Texas, launched in June, is still under regulatory review as officials determine whether remote human intervention is possible.

Industry Critics Amplify Concerns

The controversy grew louder after Dan O’Dowd, CEO of Green Hills Software and founder of The Dawn Project, published a video showing a Tesla on FSD approaching an active railroad crossing. Despite flashing red warning lights, the vehicle advanced without stopping, while the driver’s feet remained off the pedals. O’Dowd warned that this flaw “is going to kill somebody,” and called out Tesla enthusiasts for ignoring mounting evidence of serious safety gaps.

Tesla’s Vision vs. Regulatory Reality

Despite the backlash, Tesla maintains that its FSD technology represents the future of mobility, capable of handling everything from route navigation to parking. Many users have reported positive experiences, praising the software’s ability to manage highway driving and urban traffic. However, the mounting concerns over railroad detection failures and near-collisions place Tesla at a crossroads: regulators and consumers alike are demanding proof that the system can be both groundbreaking and reliably safe.