By: Jacob Maslow
In April, a Tesla that is believed to have had its self-driving feature activated was involved in a fatal incident with a motorcyclist in Seattle. According to a report by USA TODAY, this 2022 Tesla Model S was driving behind a motorcycle on State Route 522 in Maltby, approximately 25 miles northeast of Seattle. The motorcyclist was fatally injured when the Tesla collided with him, and despite efforts, he could not be saved. The accident occurred on April 19th, around midday.
“Tesla’s ongoing challenges with its self-driving technology may have broader implications for the electric vehicle industry, especially as questions remain about how these issues might impact both Tesla and the industry as a whole,” says attorney Harry Nalbandyan of Levin & Nalbandyan LLP.
The driver acknowledged that, although Tesla’s self-driving feature was on, he was distracted by his smartphone at the time of the incident. It was reported that, due to traffic ahead, the motorcyclist slowed down, which led to the 56-year-old Tesla Model S driver losing focus and ultimately causing the crash. The motorcyclist, who was 28 years old, tragically lost his life.
How was the Incident Discovered?
Various investigators from the DC State Patrol were able to examine data from the Tesla Model S. It appears the car’s built-in camera and data recorder played a key role in uncovering details of the incident. This discovery process was initiated by Capt. Deion Glover.
Capt. Glover further mentioned in an email to the Associated Press that investigations are still ongoing. Additionally, he stated that the Snohomish County Prosecutor would decide whether charges would be filed against the Tesla driver or the company. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has stated that the company aims to have the self-driving technology fully operational in the near future, despite previous comments regarding the timeline for the launch of its robotaxi fleet.
Did the Driver Face Any Charges?
The 56-year-old driver of the Tesla was reported to have been arrested shortly after the incident on charges of vehicular homicide. He admitted to being distracted by his cellphone while the car’s Autopilot system was activated. He expressed that he had hoped the vehicle would handle the driving for him during the moment of distraction. Unfortunately, this led to the tragic death of the motorcyclist. The driver, Jeffrey Nissen of Stanwood, was involved in the crash, and the motorcyclist, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was 28 years old.
Is Tesla Facing Scrutiny?
Tesla, known for its Autopilot feature, has faced significant scrutiny due to incidents involving deaths and accidents where the self-driving system was active. According to reports, Tesla cars have been involved in 70 percent of crashes in which the self-driving feature was engaged since 2021. Federal officials have cautioned against making definitive safety conclusions based solely on these statistics.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened 38 investigations into incidents involving Tesla vehicles, which have resulted in 19 fatalities. They are now working to determine whether the Autopilot system played a role in these crashes.
Regarding the 28-year-old motorcyclist, his death marks at least the second fatal incident in the United States involving Tesla’s self-driving technology. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) continues to investigate whether Tesla’s vehicles meet the required standards for self-driving capabilities.
A Critic’s Perspective?
Phil Koopman, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University who specializes in autonomous vehicle safety, shared his concerns about the future of Tesla’s Robotaxis fleet. He noted that, without sufficient data to prove the vehicles can function safely without a driver, it seems unlikely that Tesla’s autonomous vehicles will be deployed on a large scale anytime soon. He suggested that the company needs to demonstrate its technology can reliably operate without human intervention before any significant rollout can take place.
Summary
Currently, the NHTSA is focusing on investigating incidents involving vehicles with self-driving features. Recent reports indicate that they have dispatched teams to investigate two serious crashes involving a Ford Mustang Mach-E. As the spotlight on autonomous vehicles intensifies, automakers like Tesla will need to provide evidence that their technologies are not only innovative but also safe and ethically responsible.
