WASHINGTON, June 23 (Reuters) - The National Highway

Traffic Safety Administration is seeking information from Tesla

after reviewing online videos of a robotaxi allegedly

using the wrong lane and of speeding by another driverless

vehicle.

The U.S. auto safety agency said it is "aware of the

referenced incidents and is in contact with the manufacturer to

gather additional information."

NHTSA routinely asks automakers for additional

information after reports of questionable driving behavior by

advanced driver assistance systems or automated driving systems.

Tesla started a limited, paid robotaxi test service and

deployed a dozen or so self-driving cars in Austin, Texas on

Sunday. The company plans to avoid bad weather, difficult

intersections, and won't take anyone below the age of 18.

NHTSA noted that under the law it "does not pre-approve

new technologies or vehicle systems - rather, manufacturers

certify that each vehicle meets NHTSA's rigorous safety

standards, and the agency investigates incidents involving

potential safety defects."

Bloomberg News reported NHTSA's query to Tesla earlier

on Monday.

The EV maker did not immediately respond to a Reuters

request for comment.

On Monday, Tesla told NHTSA its answers to questions on

the safety of its robotaxi deployment in Texas are confidential

business information and should not be made public.

NHTSA is reviewing answers given in response to the agency's

questions about the safety of its self-driving robotaxi in poor

weather among numerous issues.

The agency has been investigating since October

collisions of Tesla vehicles using Full Self-Driving software

under conditions of reduced visibility. The probe covers 2.4

million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD technology after four

reported collisions, including a 2023 fatal crash.