New Tesla Crash Casts Doubt on Elon Musk’s Automated System

On Wednesday, March 17, 2o21, a Michigan state police vehicle was struck by a driver in an oncoming Tesla Model Y. Raising concern, however, is the fact that the car was operating under the autopilot setting which Tesla cars are equipped with.

The autopilot operating system boasts an impressive resume: instinctive lane centering, automatic lane changes, advanced cruise control, and more. Unfortunately, the recent crash casts doubt onto those claims, adding to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) previously launched investigations into crashes that Tesla’s autonomous systems may have caused. 

Ever since 2016, Tesla’s near-autonomous system has fallen subject to intense scrutiny and probing. And such research is necessary, as many drivers will begin to rely on their automated driving as Tesla’s sales expand. 

The driver in question was reckless and was operating the vehicle while under a license suspension. Such circumstances may make finding if the system was at fault complicated. 

Thankfully, nobody in the crash was injured, although both the Model Y and the police sedan were significantly mangled. The Tesla’s operator issued citations on a failure to move over and drive under license suspension. 

Accidents like these prove that autopilot doesn’t mean flawless, and all drivers should still be vigilant on the roads. Although this message is also portrayed on Tesla’s website, the advanced autopilot system’s marketing and complexity lead many to believe that they don’t need to pay attention to the road. 

The NHTSA is still reviewing another crash between a Tesla sedan and a semi-truck, although no signs indicate that autopilot was the cause behind it. At the time of the crash, local police suspect that the autonomous driving setting was not engaged. 

Tesla shares ($TSLA) ticked upwards on Wednesday after opening at $656.87, as many investors maintain their stance on the company’s long-term profitability.