In the latest case of a Tesla in autopilot mode that crashed into an emergency vehicle, the Florida Highway Patrol says a soldier escaped the injury when the electric vehicle hit his cruiser on an interstate highway. near downtown Orlando
ORLANDO, Florida – A Tesla driving in autopilot mode crashed into a Florida Highway Patrol cruise on an interstate near downtown Orlando and nearly lost its driver, who had stopped to help a disabled vehicle.
Earlier this month, the U.S. government opened a formal investigation into the Tesla autopilot’s partially automated driving system after a series of similar collisions with parked emergency vehicles.
The soldier whose cruiser was hit shortly before 5 a.m. Saturday had turned on the emergency lights and was heading for the disabled vehicle when the Tesla hit the left side of the cruiser and collided with the other. vehicle, according to Highway Patrol spokeswoman Lt. Kim Montes. Sentinel.
The report states that the 27-year-old Tesla man and the driver of the disabled vehicle suffered minor injuries and the soldier was not unharmed.
Tesla did not immediately respond to an email sent to its press address.
Autopilot has been frequently misused by Tesla drivers, who have been caught driving drunk or even driving in the back seat while a car was driving on a California highway.
The electric vehicle manufacturer uses a camera-based system, a lot of computing power, and sometimes radar to detect obstacles, determine what they are, and then decide what the vehicles should do. But investigators say he has had problems with parked emergency vehicles and trucks perpendicular to his passage.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened the Tesla spacecraft after recording 11 crashes since 2018 in which Teslas with autopilot or cruise control have crashed into vehicles where first responders have used flashing lights, flares, an illuminated arrow or cones that alert of risks.
In those accidents, 17 people were injured and one died, the NHTSA said. An investigation may result in a withdrawal or other compliance action.
The National Transportation Safety Board, which has also investigated Tesla accidents, has recommended that NHTSA and Tesla limit the use of autopilot to areas where it can operate safely. It is also recommended that Tesla be required to improve its system to ensure that drivers pay attention.
Last year the NTSB blamed Tesla, drivers and NHTSA’s lax regulation of two collisions in which Teslas crashed below crossing trailers.
The crashes against emergency vehicles cited by NHTSA began on January 22, 2018 in Culver City, California, near Los Angeles, when a Tesla using autopilot attacked a fire truck parked with flashing lights. No one was injured in the crash.