Tesla Unveils ‘Flying’ Roadster, But Who Decides If It’s Safe? Nobody Knows Yet

Tesla unveils its new Roadster sports car in McGregor, Texas, on Thursday.

Tesla's new Roadster prototype has raised questions over how a vehicle designed to fly would be regulated, after the car launched off a curved ramp and landed on its wheels during a demonstration in Texas.

The demonstration took place on Thursday night, 15 October. By Friday, a senior US Department of Transportation official had acknowledged to CBS News that there was no clear answer on which agency would decide whether such a vehicle was safe.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which typically oversees vehicle safety, appears to be the most obvious candidate. However, the agency delegates safety certification to manufacturers.

In a statement to CBS News, NHTSA said the manufacturer "must ensure that it does not defy applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards". It added that it "will continue to monitor the situation".

The agency is already examining the self-certification system as part of an audit of Tesla's Cybercab, which was opened in September.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), meanwhile, has said the vehicle does not fall under its remit. The agency told CBS News that Tesla's Roadster "does not meet the FAA definition of an…

Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy