FOLLOWING A SERIES OF COLLISIONS with parked emergency vehicles, the US government has opened a formal investigation into Tesla’s partially automated driving system.
Roped into the investigation are 765,000 vehicles sold by Tesla since the start of the 2014 model year.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified crashes that resulted in 17 injuries and one fatality. Since 2018, says the NHTSA, it has identified 11 crashes in which Tesla vehicles on Autopilot or Traffic Aware Cruise Control have hit vehicles at scenes where first responders were using flashing lights, flares, illuminated arrow board or cones warning of hazards.
Tesla vehicles being investigated include the entire line-up from 2014 through 2021, including the Model Y, X, S and 3.
While some incidents have been caused by drivers misusing the system (such as driving under the influence or even riding in the back seat), the NHTSA believes Autopilot use should be limited to those areas where it can safely operate. The National Transportation Safety Board (which has no enforcement powers) has also recommended that Tesla develop a better system to make sure drivers are paying proper attention.
Since June 2016, investigative teams have been sent to 31 crashes involving the partially automated driver assist system. Of those, 25 involved the Tesla Autopilot involving 10 deaths.
Tesla and other manufacturers warn that drivers using the systems must be ready to intervene at all times. The NHTSA reminded the public that no currently commercially available motor vehicles are capable of driving themselves, and that all state laws (including in Australia, we should note) hold human drivers responsible for the operation of their vehicles.
Expect many more cases involving autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles before they become common on our roads and plenty of discussion about the relative roles and responsibilities shared by drivers and computers.
Thanks to reader Denis Basson for alerting us to this story.