Tesla Driver’s Negligence Leads to Fatal Motorcycle Crash
A 56-year-old Tesla driver in Snohomish, Washington, caused a fatal accident while using the car’s advanced driver assist system (ADAS). The system, believed to be Autopilot, failed to detect a 28-year-old motorcyclist, leading to a collision that resulted in the motorcyclist’s death. The Tesla driver, who was allegedly inattentive and had consumed alcohol prior to the crash, faces charges of Vehicular Homicide.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety and reliability of driver assist systems, particularly in the absence of strict regulations and industry guidelines. Tesla maintains that its systems require attentive drivers, but critics argue that the company has misled consumers by promoting its vehicles as self-driving.
According to local news reports, the driver was using Autopilot rather than Full Self-Driving, although the two systems are often conflated. The current FSD software requires drivers to keep their eyes on the road for the system to remain active, while Autopilot doesn’t seem to require this. Autopilot is little more than lane keep assist paired with a camera-based cruise control system.
The Tesla driver, who has not been named, was booked into the Snohomish County Jail with a charge of Vehicular Homicide. He posted a $100,000 bail on Sunday.
According to a recent survey, 93 percent of Americans have concerns about self-driving car safety, and 61 percent say they wouldn’t trust a self-driving car. But when it comes to Tesla ‘beta testing’ this half-baked software on our public streets, we don’t get the legal opportunity to challenge it. Some Tesla drivers get to risk the lives of everyone around them because they paid for the privilege.
The incident highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations and industry guidelines for driver assist systems. While these systems have the potential to improve safety and reduce accidents, they must be used responsibly and in conjunction with an attentive driver who is prepared to take over control at any moment.
