Safe Speed Forums

The campaign for genuine road safety
It is currently Fri Mar 29, 2024 12:33

All times are UTC [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 3 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Fri Jul 01, 2016 16:35 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 02:17
Posts: 7355
Location: Highlands
Express wrote:
Tesla driver dies after crash in autopilot mode
CAR drives into truck while in self-driving mode in Florida.
By Craig Thomas
PUBLISHED: 10:53, Fri, Jul 1, 2016 | UPDATED: 11:11, Fri, Jul 1, 2016

A Tesla Model S was involved in a car crash whilst it was driving in Autopilot mode

A Tesla Model S has been involved in fatal crash in the US while driving in autonomous Autopilot mode, prompting questions about the safety of self-driving cars.

The collision occurred on May 7 in Williston, Florida when the car crashed into a truck, resulting in the death of the driver.

This is the first death linked to one of the brand's cars in what it claims is over 130m miles of semi-autonomous driving.
Related articles

Could new driverless cars slash insurance premiums?
Boy left panicked when car starts driving on its own

In a blog post published yesterday on the company’s website, Tesla said: “What we know is that the vehicle was on a divided highway with Autopilot engaged when a tractor trailer [articulated lorry] drove across the highway perpendicular to the Model S.

"Neither Autopilot nor the driver noticed the white side of the tractor trailer against a brightly lit sky, so the brake was not applied.
"The high ride height of the trailer, combined with its positioning across the road and the extremely rare circumstances of the impact, caused the Model S to pass under the trailer, with the bottom of the trailer impacting the windshield of the Model S.”

Tesla believes that the advanced crash safety system fitted to the Model S would have prevented serious injury if the front of the car had the hit truck itself.

The customer who died in this crash had a loving family and we are beyond saddened by their loss

Tesla's Autopilot mode is still in beta (test) mode and the company reminds drivers that they should keep their hands on the wheel, pay attention to what’s happening on the road around them and be prepared to take control of the vehicle if required.

Tesla said in a statement: “The customer who died in this crash had a loving family and we are beyond saddened by their loss.

"He was a friend to Tesla and the broader EV community, a person who spent his life focused on innovation and the promise of technology and who believed strongly in Tesla's mission.

TESLA MODEL S INTERIORGETTY
The autonomous driving mode was activated when the car collided with a truck

TESLA MODEL SGETTY
This is the first death linked to one of the brand's cars

"We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.”

The carmaker has informed the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which has opened a preliminary investigation.
Very sadly it was only a matter of time ! :(
Why do they have to prove disengagement of driving will distract people and see them KSI from inattention!? :(
I dare say that they will carry on anyway much to my great disappointment.

_________________
Safe Speed for Intelligent Road Safety through proper research, experience & guidance.


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
PostPosted: Fri Jul 01, 2016 18:36 
Offline
Gold Member
Gold Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2004 14:26
Posts: 4364
Location: Hampshire/Wiltshire Border
The Tesla Autopilot system requires the "driver" to be always alert and prepared to take over from the system in the event of an unexpected event. This completely negates the suggested benefits of autonomous vehicles. You may as well drive it yourself in this case. Most people think that this development is along the lines of get in, program the satnav, settle down to read a book, get out at the other end. This level of operation will take a very long time to deliver.

The other issue which will flow from this fatality is a legal case to decide where the liability lies in the event of an accident. If the liability is with the car occupant (I won't call them the driver) this will also fatally damage the introduction of driverless technology as who is going risk their liberty and assets by trusting a computer? Would you?

_________________
Malcolm W.
The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not represent the views of Safespeed.


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
PostPosted: Sat Jul 02, 2016 15:32 
Offline
Gold Member
Gold Member

Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 23:26
Posts: 9263
Location: Treacletown ( just north of M6 J3),A MILE OR TWO PAST BEDROCK
Malcolm, I posted something similar a long time ago, about spatial awareness. I find it on the roads in town, where ,possibly I'm not driving the correct size of car etc, in supermarkets , regularly. In stores, I use ether my own mobility scooter, or one from the store, and almost every day ( particularly Thursday/Friday & Saturday), I have to be very aware, as it's a regular thing to have to fend off ladies walking backwards with no thought of what's behind them, and almost ending up on my lap. Nice young thing would be nice :D , but these are usually 20 stone heavyweights, who would no doubt blame me for stopping behind them, being blocked from moving anywhere as my progress is impeded by my some dozy old bat chatting to her mate.
On the roads is another thing. I was taught to look at every other driver as an accident about to drive into my car. Has that car ,about to move off, seen me. Bus/ 7.5 Tonner at a junction- do they need extra space, to get around the junction? But that is driver education, sadly lacking in the constant production line of driver tuition, where the be all and end all is to teach drivers to pass the test, and if teaching safe driving is not on the agenda, then TOUGH. There was a program ( TOP GEAR,I think), where auto braking was featured. Sadly MOST vehicles( especially top end ones ) FAILED .
So the message still is "I CAN SEE HIM/HER, SO LOGICALLY THEY CAN SEE ME, EVEN IF I'M IN A BLIND SPOT( BUT MR ACCIDENTS ARE US WILL GET ME COMPENSATION"

_________________
lets bring sanity back to speed limits.
Drivers are like donkeys -they respond best to a carrot, not a stick .Road safety experts are like Asses - best kept covered up ,or sat on


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 3 posts ] 

All times are UTC [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 22 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You can post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
[ Time : 0.015s | 13 Queries | GZIP : Off ]