Tesla driver killed motorcyclist while using Autopilot, causing another investigation

In Utah's Draper, a Tesla driver using Autopilot slammed into the rear of a motorbike early Sunday morning, killing the motorcyclist. It is the latest accident to spark scrutiny from federal investigators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding Tesla's advanced driver-assistance technology.

According to local reports, the accident occurred shortly after 1AM on southbound I-15 near the Salt Lake and Utah County lines. The motorcyclist, who has not been identified, was proceeding southbound near the Salt Lake and Utah County lines when the Tesla emerged from behind and collided with him. According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, the Tesla driver struck the motorcycle's rear end, throwing the motorcyclist to the ground where he died quickly.

The Utah accident was the most recent to be added to NHTSA's list of Special Crash Investigations (SCI), in which the agency collects data beyond what local authorities and insurance companies usually gather at the scene. The agency also examines incidents involving advanced driver-assist systems, like Tesla's Autopilot, and automated driving technologies.

As of July 26th, the NTSB has identified 48 vehicle accidents on their SCI list, 39 of which were caused by Tesla vehicles. In those Tesla accidents, 19 people died, including drivers and passengers.

Tesla driver using Autopilot crashed into stationary emergency vehicles in 16 incidents, resulting in 15 injuries and one death, beyond the SCI program. Most of these events occurred at night, with the software disregarding scene control measures such as warning lights, flares, cones, and an illuminated arrow board. The investigation was upgraded to an "Engineering Analysis," which is the second and final phase of a probe before a recall possibility.

Tesla topped the government's list of vehicle accidents caused by active driver-assist functions, which carmakers maintain make driving safer. Tesla's statistics were significantly higher than those of other businesses, most likely as a result of the fact that it sells more vehicles with Level 2 systems than its competitors. Real-time telematics data from Tesla customers also allows for a quicker reporting procedure, according to the company.

According to NHTSA, there were 273 Tesla vehicle collisions involving Autopilot between July 20th, 2021 and May 21st, 2022. The majority of the total 392 accidents occurred during that period (273).

Hundreds of automobile accidents occur every day, with many resulting in fatalities. Last year, more individuals died in car-related incidents than at any time since 2005. NHTSA predicts that 42,915 people will be killed in motor vehicle traffic collisions in 2021, a 10.5 percent increase from the 38,824 deaths recorded in 2020. Pedestrians, cyclists, and others who perished during a collision are among the fatalities.

The majority of these accidents do not involve Tesla cars. However, because to Tesla's eagerness to beta test new software on its customers - and as a result, everyone else in close proximity to those drivers - Tesla crashes, especially ones that involve Autopilot, need attention. Because of the risks it is willing to take with advanced technology released into the public domain and the corners it has cut to accomplish so, Tesla is a unique business.

When a certain technology is involved in a deadly accident, as was the case with Autopilot, it must be investigated closely to see what decisions were made that led to this specific failure. And because Tesla claims that when used correctly, Autopilot makes driving safer, despite the fact that the outcomes appear to be much more complicated.