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CHP: Full Self-Driving Isn't Fully Autonomous
17 Oct
Summary
- Tesla driver using driver assist crashed into patrol car.
- Two officers were seriously injured in the collision.
- NHTSA investigated Tesla's Autopilot after similar crashes.
A recent collision on Interstate 80 resulted in serious injuries to two California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers. Video footage shows a Tesla, reportedly operating on driver assist mode with the driver claiming to have been asleep, speeding past emergency scene markers and striking a parked patrol vehicle. The CHP has reiterated warnings that "full self-driving" technology is not fully autonomous, emphasizing that drivers are still accountable for safe vehicle operation.
This incident follows previous investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) into Tesla's Autopilot software. These investigations, initiated in 2021 due to numerous collisions with parked emergency vehicles, found that the driver-assist features did not sufficiently keep drivers engaged, contributing to hundreds of crashes and dozens of fatalities.
Tesla released an updated Autopilot system in 2023 with enhanced controls and alerts to encourage driver engagement. However, NHTSA subsequently opened another inquiry to determine if these modifications adequately addressed previous safety concerns regarding driver responsibility.
