Tesla is now evidently recalling its whooping 2 million electric cars of Models X, Y, S, and 3 of the 2012 version. The reason is to install its advanced version of the Autopilot system over an issue quoted by the federal safety regulator regarding safety alerts.
You would be surprised to know that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) spent two years to ensure that the Tesla vehicles are safe and this move by Tesla to ensure safety standards. It was applauded by NHTSA Ann Carlson, an acting administrator, who during the court hearing said, “One of the things we determined is that drivers are not always paying attention when that system is on.”
How did this story begin?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated a safety probe in August 2021 following reports of fatal crashes involving Tesla’s Autopilot feature. The investigation focused on instances where Tesla vehicles while using Autopilot, collided with stationary emergency vehicles. The recall, affecting 193,000 vehicles in the United States, aims to address concerns related to Autopilot’s “inadequate driver engagement and usage controls.”
Tesla, while disputing NHTSA’s analysis, agreed to deploy a software update via over-the-air technology. The update aims to enhance controls and alerts, emphasizing driver responsibility during Autosteer engagement. US Senators Ed Markey and Richard Blumenthal commended the recall but criticized its timing, urging continued investigations. NHTSA highlighted ongoing scrutiny of Tesla’s Autopilot and pledged to monitor the effectiveness of the software update.
What did the legal experts say about Tesla’s Safety issues
Legal experts express reservations about relying on a software-only fix, emphasizing the need for systemic safeguards to prevent foreseeable misuse. Critics argue that the recall places significant responsibility on human drivers rather than enhancing the system’s intrinsic safeguards.
Attorney Bryant Walker Smith suggests that jurisdictions, including California, may allow the NHTSA recall into evidence in lawsuits against Tesla. However, plaintiffs must still demonstrate a direct link between the recalled defect and their specific accidents.
Tesla and court issues
Apart from the NHTSA recall, Tesla faces scrutiny from the US Justice Department related to Full Self-Driving (FSD) and Autopilot. This follows a previous recall in February 2022, involving 362,000 vehicles, prompted by concerns about FSD Beta software’s adherence to traffic safety laws.
NHTSA had previously closed an Autopilot investigation in 2017 without taking action. However, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) criticized both Tesla and NHTSA for insufficient system safeguards and safety oversight for Autopilot.
Tesla’s Autopilot challenges continue, underscoring the ongoing debate surrounding autonomous driving technology and its regulatory framework. The public, regulators, and industry stakeholders closely watch developments amid the intersection of innovation and safety concerns.
Tesla’s reply Washington Post article over Safety issues
In a tweet by Tesla, it clarified that none of its vehicles are going through unsafe driving systems and said, “The recent Washington Post article is particularly egregious in its misstatements and lack of relevant context. We at Tesla believe that we have a moral obligation to continue improving our already best-in-class safety systems. At the same time, we also believe it is morally indefensible not to make these systems available to a wider set of consumers, given the incontrovertible data that shows it is saving lives and preventing injury”.
Here are some of the takeaways that Tesla pointed out in its Tweet.
- Autopilot demonstrates a safety level approximately 10 times higher than the US average and roughly 5 times greater than a Tesla without any Autopilot technology activated. Additional comprehensive details will be made available to the public in the coming days.
- While the driver retains responsibility for vehicle control, Tesla implements various additional safety measures to ensure active driver supervision. This includes both torque-based and camera-based monitoring systems. We are consistently enhancing these monitoring systems to minimize instances of misuse.
- The data strongly suggests that our customers experience significantly enhanced safety when given the option to decide when it’s suitable to activate Autopilot features. When utilized appropriately, Autopilot offers safety advantages across all types of road conditions.
Final Remarks
Tesla’s action to call its vehicle back is making waves and is showcasing its customer-centric approach. It is evident how the new FSD will work once it is rolled into the market.