Tesla’s Autopilot system is supposed to be a helping hand on the road, but a recent investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) raises some concerns.
The NHTSA looked at nearly 1,000 crashes involving Teslas from 2018 to 2023. In many cases, they found two main issues. People were relying too heavily on Autopilot and not staying focused on the road themselves. Tesla’s features to check if drivers were paying attention were easy to fool. This created a gap between what drivers thought Autopilot could do and what it actually could do, leading to avoidable crashes.
The NHTSA investigation found hundreds of crashes linked to Autopilot misuse. Some drivers hit other vehicles or objects they should have seen because they weren’t paying attention. Others accidentally turned Autopilot off while using it, causing issues. Poor weather conditions like wet roads also played a role in some incidents.
Tesla released a software update in December to address some of these concerns. However, the NHTSA is currently investigating this update to see if it’s enough. Autopilot is a driver assistance system, not a self-driving car. You are still responsible for staying alert and focused on the road while using it.
A recent case highlights this perfectly. A driver using Autopilot was charged with manslaughter after a crash, even though they claim Autopilot was on. They admitted to looking at their phone, not the road.
This is a wake-up call. Even with advanced technology like Autopilot, driver responsibility is crucial. Stay safe out there!