In March 2023, a student in North Carolina was injured when hit by a Tesla Model Y traveling at highway speeds, as per a federal investigation released today. The Tesla driver was using Autopilot, the automaker’s advanced driver-assist feature.
The 17-year-old student suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to a hospital. However, the investigation showed a pattern of driver inattention combined with Tesla’s technology limitations leading to numerous injuries and deaths in hundreds of similar crashes.
According to NHTSA, drivers using Autopilot or the more advanced Full Self-Driving feature were often not adequately engaged in the driving task, leading to the accidents. NHTSA examined 956 crashes from January 2018 to August 2023, resulting in 29 fatalities.
Of these, 211 crashes involved the Tesla striking a vehicle or obstacle head-on, causing 14 deaths and 49 injuries. The investigation was prompted by incidents of Tesla drivers colliding with stationary emergency vehicles, especially at night, where Tesla’s software failed to recognize scene control measures like warning lights and cones.
NHTSA concluded that Autopilot, and in some cases Full Self-Driving, did not effectively keep drivers alert. Although Tesla advises customers to remain attentive, many drivers became careless, which went way beyond to delayed reactions in critical situations. In 59 crashes analyzed, drivers had sufficient time to react before the collision, but failed to do so. NHTSA criticized Tesla’s Level 2 automation for disengaging rather than allowing driver adjustments, discouraging driver involvement.
Furthermore, NHTSA criticized Tesla’s branding, particularly the feature “Autopilot,” for misleading consumers about the system’s capabilities. Tesla’s voluntary recall and software update were deemed verification by safety experts, prompting a new investigation by NHTSA. These findings challenge Musk’s claims about Tesla’s progress towards fully autonomous vehicles. Despite Tesla’s plans to unveil a robotaxi, doubts arises about the safety and efficiency of its autonomous technology, contrasting Musk’s assertions about its superiority over human drivers.