Tesla's Robotaxi Service Reports Initial Safety Concern in Austin

Tesla's Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, reported its first safety concern on June 22, 2025, the same day the service was launched. The incident occurred on East Oltorf Street in downtown Austin and was documented on the city's autonomous vehicle incident dashboard. Edward Niedermeyer, who has previously expressed criticism of Tesla, reported the incident. He shared a YouTube video showing a Tesla vehicle braking twice for stationary police vehicles outside its driving path. Neither Niedermeyer nor a Tesla spokesperson responded immediately to requests for comment. The dashboard monitors safety concerns and incidents involving autonomous vehicles in Austin, including those from companies like Waymo and Zoox. It has recorded 120 incidents over the past two years, with 45 occurring in 2025. The data relies on reports from city departments and the 311 service, and the city notes that the information is unvalidated and may not capture all incidents citywide. A spokesperson for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) previously stated that the agency is in contact with Tesla regarding the company's autonomous vehicles. Tesla's Robotaxi service began with a limited launch to a select group of users, with plans to deploy between 10 to 20 robotaxis. Currently, rides include a safety monitor in the passenger seat and remote operators who can intervene when necessary, as observed in videos of the service posted online.