According to reports Tesla’s autopilot feature has been accused of being responsible for 17 fatalities and more than 700 crashes.
This figure is far greater than what was previously reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) last June.
According to their data, only three deaths were linked to the vehicle’s autopilot technology. However, a review conducted by The Washington Post on Saturday revealed that Tesla’s autopilot was actually responsible for 17 deaths and 736 crashes.
According to JustTheNews.com:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last June released a partial report showing that Teslas accounted for three deaths linked to the vehicle’s autopilot technology. Federal data reviewed by The Washington Post on Saturday reveals that Tesla’s autopilot was actually responsible for 17 deaths and 736 crashes.
Tesla made up most of the 807 automated-related vehicle crashes, but Tesla’s Model X, S, 3 and Y, all of which include some form of autopilot, were in the top ten best-selling electric vehicles for 2022, per technology outlet Eletrek.
The fatal crashes reveal patterns, per the Post’s analysis. For example, four involved a motorcycle and in another, an emergency vehicle was involved.
This news has caused an uproar who are wary of the advancement of technology at the cost of human lives and safety.
Despite its popularity among consumers, it appears that Tesla may have sacrificed quality in order to make their vehicles more marketable.
With models like the Model X, S, 3 and Y all featuring some form of autopilot technologies in the top ten best-selling electric vehicles for 2022 according to Eletrek, this negligence cannot be overlooked any longer.
The fatal crashes also reveal patterns as The Post’s analysis demonstrated with four out of seventeen involving a motorcycle while another involved an emergency vehicle.
Additionally, Veronica Morales from NHTSA said her agency “has an active investigation into Tesla Autopilot including Full-Self Driving” and reminded drivers that “all advanced driver assistance systems require the human driver to be in control and fully engaged in driving task at all times.”
Neither Elon Musk nor Tesla have made any comment on this matter which causes further alarm for citizens who fear that such advancements are going unchecked.
Most people believe it is important to move forward with technological developments but not at the expense of human life or safety standards being compromised in any way.
