news 
NHTSA’s Self-Driving Safety Staff Reportedly ‘Disproportionately Affected’ by DOGE Cuts
In a recent report, it has come to light that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) self-driving safety staff have been disproportionately affected by cuts made in February. The Department of Government Efficiency implemented these cuts, which led to the termination of around 30 employees.
According to sources, this division was formed in 2023 and included many employees who were still in their initial probationary hiring period. This could have contributed to a higher number of firings within this particular department. The cuts took place just ahead of Tesla’s launch of its first-ever robotaxi service in Austin, which has raised concerns about the agency’s ability to ensure the safety and efficiency of autonomous vehicles.
One employee who was terminated expressed their concern that these cuts would significantly weaken NHTSA’s capacity to comprehend self-driving technologies. This comes as Tesla plans to expand its services to California and possibly other states by the end of this year.
This development raises questions about the potential implications on the future of transportation and the safety measures in place for autonomous vehicles.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/10/nhtsas-self-driving-safety-staff-reportedly-disproportionally-affected-by-doge-cuts/
