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DETROIT — Two crashes involving Teslas apparently running on Autopilot are drawing scrutiny from federal regulators and point to a potential new hazard on U.S. freeways: The partially automated vehicles may not stop for motorcycles.

WASHINGTON — The new head of the government’s road safety agency says it will intensify efforts to understand the risks posed by automated vehicle technology, so it can decide what regulations may be necessary to protect drivers, passengers and pedestrians.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, for the first time, collected and analyzed data on crashes involving vehicles using SAE Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems, and separately, SAE Levels 3-5 automated driving systems.

DETROIT — Tesla reported 273 crashes involving partially automated driver-assist systems, according to statistics about the industry released by U.S. safety regulators on June 15.

DETROIT — The Senate on May 26 confirmed former California pollution regulator Steven Cliff to run the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DETROIT — Nearly 43,000 people were killed on U.S. roads last year, the highest number in 16 years as Americans returned to the highways after the pandemic forced many to stay at home.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration plans to continue gathering data for its crash-avoidance field study that is seeking comments from commercial motor carrier drivers about their beliefs and attitudes toward safety technologies.

DETROIT — U.S. safety regulators have opened an investigation into electric and hybrid vehicle batteries after five automakers issued recalls due to possible defects that could cause fires or stalling.

The Biden administration ordered carmakers to increase their average fuel economy to about 49 mpg by 2026, in an ambitious effort to make up for progress stalled when President Donald Trump rolled back the efficiency program.

A new report on 2020 crash data shows that despite fewer miles traveled during the first year of the pandemic, 38,824 lives were lost in overall traffic crashes. That's a 6.8% increase and the highest number since 2007, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.