Ever get that feeling your car’s self-driving features are a little too good to be true? Yeah, a recent incident involving a Tesla on Autopilot has us scratching our heads.
Back on May 3rd, a Tesla driver using the car’s “Full Self-Driving” mode (FSD for short) had a heart-in-their-throat moment. The driver (online handle FixorFkit, big ups for that!) shared dashcam footage showing their Tesla dodging a cyclist by darting into oncoming traffic. Guess what else was coming head-on? Yep, a police car!
Luckily, the driver reacted fast and steered the car back into their lane, avoiding a major crash. We bet their adrenaline was pumping after that!
This close call highlights a big worry with some driver-assistance systems: they can lull us drivers into thinking we can just chill and let the car do the work. FixorFkit even said they had to stay super alert despite using FSD, which is exactly what safety experts keep saying.
“Stupid fucking thing,” the driver can be heard saying after yanking the steering wheel to stay behind the cyclist.
Watchdogs on the Case
The folks over at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA, the government agency looking out for safe roads) have been keeping a close eye on Tesla’s Autopilot system for a while now. Their latest report linked Autopilot to a bunch of injuries and, sadly, some deaths. The NHTSA found drivers using FSD weren’t paying close enough attention, and Tesla wasn’t exactly helping them stay focused.
Did Tesla Fix the Problem?
Things get even more interesting (and a little concerning). The NHTSA recently uncovered some issues with how Tesla responded to a December 2023 recall aimed at making Autopilot less tempting to ignore. Even after the recall, the NHTSA found at least 20 crashes involving Teslas with the updated software, some with other cars involved. Yikes!
The Road Ahead
FixorFkit’s experience is a wake-up call. With Tesla CEO Elon Musk pushing for self-driving robotaxis by August, safety absolutely needs to be nailed down before these things hit the road in a big way.
Staying Safe Behind the Wheel
So, what can you do if you use driver-assistance features? Here’s the lowdown:
- Keep Your Eyes Peeled: Fancy tech or not, these systems aren’t truly self-driving. Watch the road and be ready to take control at a moment’s notice.
- Know the Limits: Driver-assistance features have their limits. Don’t rely on them blindly, especially in tricky situations.
- Follow the Rules of the Road: Traffic laws still apply, no matter how cool your car’s tech is. Stay safe and keep a good distance between you and the car in front of you.
By staying aware and engaged, we can all help make the roads a safer place for everyone.
