Federal investigators are looking into Tesla's Mad Max mode, which reportedly defies speed limits

Federal investigators are looking into Tesla's "Mad Max" mode, a feature of the company's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has requested information from Tesla about the mode, which reportedly allows for "higher speeds and more frequent lane changes" than the standard "Hurry" speed profile. The NHTSA has stated that the human driver is responsible for complying with traffic laws, even when the FSD system is engaged. Earlier this month, the NHTSA opened a probe into the FSD system, saying it had "induced vehicle behavior that violated traffic safety laws," such as running red lights and driving against the flow of traffic. The "Mad Max" mode was initially offered by Tesla in 2018, before the FSD system was available, and has been revived this month. Reports suggest that Tesla vehicles using this mode have been observed rolling through stop signs and driving above speed limits. The article also mentions a connection between the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the reported culling of NHTSA staff involved in autonomous vehicle safety, which may have contributed to the current investigation.