- The driver of a Tesla Model S told authorities he was using Autopilot when he fatally collided with a motorcycle last week.
- The Federal Reserve this week questioned whether Tesla’s December recall was enough to ensure drivers were careful.
- Tesla has recalled more than 2 million vehicles and installed an update that increases Autopilot warnings.
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A 56-year-old Tesla Model S driver said he was using Autopilot when he fatally struck a man with his motorcycle about 25 miles outside Seattle last week.
According to a Washington State Patrol affidavit, the driver was arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide for allegedly using a cell phone while driving on Autopilot “based on admitted negligent driving,” according to CNBC. said that it was done. report. The department did not respond to Business Insider’s requests for records.
The driver told a Washington State Patrol trooper that he was looking at his cell phone while the Tesla was in Autopilot mode, CNBC reported.
“Then I heard an impact sound and as the vehicle accelerated, it lurched forward and struck the motorcycle in front of me,” the officer wrote in a probable cause document, according to CNBC. .
On Friday, federal regulators announced they were investigating whether Tesla’s December recall of 2 million vehicles was enough to ensure safety. Driving assistance technology prevents driver misuse.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced The company has launched an investigation to “assess the appropriateness” of the December recall that “addresses misuse, mode confusion, or use in environments for which the system was not designed.”
The new investigation will target Model Y, X, S, 3 and Cybertruck vehicles with Autopilot built between 2012 and 2024, according to the NHTSA report.
In December, Tesla recalled more than 2 million vehicles to update their Autopilot software. The recall stems from a two-year investigation by NHTSA that identified at least 13 crashes resulting in at least one death and multiple serious injuries. The software update was aimed at improving driver awareness by increasing warnings and warnings.
“Part of the relief will require owners to opt-in and will allow drivers to easily opt out,” Tesla said in an NHTSA document.
It’s unclear whether the driver involved in the Washington crash had software updates installed on his Tesla.
Most new Teslas come with software that automatically updates, according to the NHTSA document.
In the document published In response to a recall inquiry, NHTSA on Thursday said the term “Autopilot” could mislead drivers into believing that “Autopilot has better capabilities than it actually does and could lead drivers to place undue trust in Autopilot.” ” he pointed out.
Tesla’s website states that Autopilot mode does not cause the vehicle to drive itself, and that drivers must use additional caution and caution.
Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.