Virginia authorities have determined that a Tesla was operating on its Autopilot system and was speeding in the moments leading to a crash with a crossing tractor-trailer last July that killed the Tesla driver. The death of Pablo Teodoro III, 57, is the third since 2016 in which a Tesla that was using Autopilot ran underneath a crossing tractor-trailer, raising questions about the partially automated system's safety and where it should be allowed to operate. The crash south of Washington remains under investigation by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which sent investigators to Virginia last summer and began a broader probe of Autopilot more than two years ago.

Virginia sheriff’s office says Tesla was running on Autopilot moments before tractor-trailer crash::Virginia authorities have determined that a Tesla was operating on its Autopilot system and was speeding in the moments leading to a crash with a crossing tractor-trailer last July that killed the Tesla driver. The death of Pablo Teodoro III, 57, is the third since 2016 in which a Tesla that was using Autopilot ran underneath a crossing tractor-trailer, raising questions about the partially automated system’s safety and where it should be allowed to operate. The crash south of Washington remains under investigation by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which sent investigators to Virginia last summer and began a broader probe of Autopilot more than two years ago.

  • Kbobabob@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    1 year ago

    I hope Tesla gets held accountable.

    Why would this not be the driver’s fault? There are no completely autonomous diving cars(i know there technically are but they are very limited) so the driver is responsible for paying attention. Why didn’t the driver brake or take any kind of evasive maneuver?

    The Tesla was traveling 70 mph (112.7 kilometers per hour) on four-lane U.S. 29 near Opal, and was 25 mph over the 45 mph speed limit in that area,

    I guess autopilot made the choice to speed too?

    • czech@low.faux.moeEnglish
      8·
      1 year ago

      Because Musk overstates what Teslas are capable of. It’s why Tesla is being sued by shareholders (Lamontagne v Tesla).

      Anecdotally, five years ago, my Uber was driving a Tesla and insisted it was fully autonomous on the highway and he could text without issue.