The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which recently announced that it is investigating Tesla’s Autopilot system, has asked the automaker for detailed information on how the driver-assist system responds to emergency vehicles parked on highways. According to an Associated Press news report, the federal agency made the detailed request in an 11-page letter sent to Tesla dated Aug. 31.
Ongoing Autopilot Investigation
The letter is part of a wide-ranging investigation into how the company’s partially automated driving system behaves when first responder vehicles are parked while crews deal with crashes or other hazards. NHTSA wants to know how Tesla vehicles detect a crash scene including flashing lights, road flares, reflective vests worn by those responding to a crash, and other vehicles parked on the road.
NHTSA also asks for details about how Autopilot responds to low light conditions, what actions it takes if emergency vehicles are present and how it warns drivers. The agency has added a 12th crash to its investigation in which a Tesla on Autopilot struck a parked Florida Highway Patrol cruiser on Aug. 28 on an interstate highway near downtown Orlando. In the crashes that are under investigation at least 17 people were injured and one was killed.
NHTSA announced this investigation into Autopilot as well as Traffic-Aware Cruise Control after a series of crashes involving emergency vehicles since 2018. The probe covers 765,000 vehicles from the 2014 to 2021 model years. Because drivers have also been caught driving drunk or while asleep while misusing Autopilot, NHTSA is asking Tesla for details on how it makes sure drivers are paying attention. The agency also requests all consumer complaints, lawsuits, and arbitration cases involving Autopilot, as well as information on the operating locations of the system.
Safety is Key
While Tesla has tried to protect itself by saying that it always warns drivers to be ready to intervene at any time, the automaker continues to market these vehicles with terms such as “Autopilot” and “Full Self Driving” misleading consumers into believing that it is an autonomous feature. We hope this investigation into the safety of Autopilot and other semi-automated systems is thorough and uncovers any problems that may endanger people’s lives.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident involving a defective auto, you may be able to seek compensation for the injuries, damages, and losses you suffered. An experienced auto defect lawyer can advise you regarding your legal rights and options.
