National Transportation Safety Board Finds Autopilot at Fault in 2018 Tesla Crash

Tesla accident lawsuit

USA- Nytimes.com writes that a report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that the Autopilot system created by Tesla was the cause of a deadly crash in 2018. The incident occurred in California led to an intense investigation into whether the system was to blame. Tesla’s new technology has been criticized for misleading drivers into believing the car is capable of driving itself. The NTSB stated in their report that the crash could have been prevented if the vehicle’s system were better regulated.

Among those who the NTSB believes should have stepped in is the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, which the NTSB believes was too hands-off in its dealings with the automaker. The NTSB stated that they are hopeful that Tesla will be able to improve its system and that it will, therefore, be able to make drivers safer rather than putting them at risk. A spokesperson stated that the company should not be allowing drivers to “pretend” that their semi-automated Tesla’s are fully self-driving cars.

The report found that the Tesla failed to maintain its lane and did not detect a barrier on the highway. At the time, the driver also failed to notice the barrier because he was playing a game on his phone. Additionally, the barrier was designed to absorb impacts, and the victim may have survived the crash if the state had repaired the barrier after the last collision at that location.

Despite the concerns over the Tesla’s Autopilot system, the company continues to grow. The carmaker maintains that the system increases safety if used properly. Statistically, about 48 percent of drivers misunderstand Tesla’s autopilot system’s capabilities.