Tesla FSD System Frequently Exceeds Speed Limits in Belgian Safety Study

A Belgian road-safety group's recent tests found Tesla's (TSLA) Full Self-Driving (FSD) system frequently misread speed limits and drove too fast in low-speed zones. The findings, published by the advocacy group Johanna.be, add to the scrutiny of the driver-assistance technology ahead of a potential European Union-wide approval vote.

Key Test Findings

The report is based on tests conducted over three days in July, covering approximately 400 km (249 miles). Johanna.be, which advocates for pedestrian and cyclist safety, documented several critical performance issues.

• Excessive Speed: In the majority of tested 30 km/h (approx. 18 mph) road segments around Brussels, the vehicle's average speed was 44 km/h (approx. 27 mph).
• Incorrect Information: The system often displayed an incorrect speed limit of 50 km/h on the vehicle's screen, even after its cameras appeared to recognize 30 km/h roadside signs. The report described this as being akin to a passenger "constantly reassuring the driver that the speed limit is 50 km/h."
• Unsafe Maneuvers: The tests also recorded the FSD-enabled vehicle attempting to overtake cyclists on streets where doing so is prohibited.

The report did note that the system "behaved cautiously and courteously around pedestrians and cyclists," but concluded these benefits did not outweigh the failures to comply with traffic laws.

Regulatory Context and Implications

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The findings are particularly relevant as an EU-wide vote on FSD could happen as soon as October 6. The system, which requires constant driver supervision, was approved by the Dutch regulator RDW in April, followed by Belgium and a handful of other countries.

However, regulators and safety groups have expressed reservations. Several EU countries, including Sweden, have previously raised concerns about FSD exceeding speed limits. The European Transport Safety Council has also questioned whether the system can adapt to varying road rules across the continent. This report from Johanna.be could influence the upcoming vote and impact Tesla's expansion of FSD in the European market.

Official Responses and Tesla's Position

A spokesperson for the Flemish government’s transportation ministry, which approved FSD in Belgium, told Reuters that the driver "remains 100% responsible" and must intervene if the system makes an error. The official, Xavier Lesenne, added that FSD is a "learning system" and cited Tesla data showing its potential for accident prevention.

Tesla and the Dutch regulator RDW did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment on the report. The electric vehicle maker released its own study earlier in September stating that FSD-enabled vehicles do not speed excessively. Johanna.be said it has sent its report to both the Flemish ministry and RDW, urging them to reassess their approvals.