A recent analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data has unveiled a troubling surge in crashes involving Tesla vehicles operating in Autopilot mode.
The report sheds light on the dangers associated with the increasing use of Tesla’s driver-assistance technology and the growing presence of these vehicles on US roadways.
Troubling Surge in Tesla Autopilot Crashes and Fatalities
The findings challenge Elon Musk’s assertions that Autopilot makes Tesla cars safer than those driven solely by humans, raising concerns about the reliability and potential hazards of the technology.
The recounts a specific incident in North Carolina’s Halifax County, where a Tesla Model Y allegedly in Autopilot mode failed to slow down despite a school bus displaying its stop sign and flashing red warning lights.
The vehicle struck 17-year-old Tillman Mitchell, who had just stepped off the bus, at a speed of 45 mph.
Mitchell was thrown into the windshield, launched into the air, and landed facedown on the road.
The severity of the crash emphasizes the potential for tragic outcomes and questions the safety claims associated with Tesla’s Autopilot system.
The analysis reveals that since 2019, there have been a staggering 736 crashes in the United States involving Teslas operating in Autopilot mode, far more than previously reported.
Furthermore, the number of deaths and serious injuries associated with Autopilot has significantly increased.
While authorities initially reported only three deaths linked to the technology, the most recent data includes at least 17 fatal incidents, with 11 occurring since May 2022, and five cases of serious injuries.
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Safety Concerns Surrounding Tesla’s Autopilot Technology
These figures underscore the need for a critical examination of the technology’s flaws and potential risks.
Elon Musk has repeatedly defended Tesla’s driver-assistance technologies, asserting that they enhance safety and reduce accidents.
However, experts and critics argue that the surge in Tesla crashes suggests otherwise. The article highlights the distinct patterns observed in Tesla’s 17 fatal crashes, including incidents involving motorcycles and emergency vehicles.
Experts point to Musk’s decisions, such as the expansion of Autopilot’s availability and the removal of radar sensors from new vehicles, as potential contributors to the increase in accidents.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has raised concerns about the name Autopilot, emphasizing that drivers must remain fully engaged and vigilant at all times.
NHTSA has opened multiple investigations into Tesla’s crashes and other issues related to driver-assistance software.
Reports of “phantom braking” and collisions with parked emergency vehicles have added to the scrutiny surrounding Tesla’s technology.
The article emphasizes the need to question the reliance on and potential risks associated with autonomous driving systems being tested in real-time on public roads.
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