© Reuters. Tesla (TSLA) FSD has been involved in 736 accidents since 2019
According to data from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), Tesla’s (NASDAQ:) Autopilot software has been involved in 17 deaths and 736 crashes since 2019.
According to the NHTSA, Tesla officially defines Autopilot as “a SAE Level 2 driving automation system intended to assist and support the driver in executing a driving task.” It is important to note that Autopilot is not a self-driving technology. However, recent statistics indicate that some individuals mistakenly handle it as such, leading to unfortunate and tragic accidents.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently said in an interview with The Associated Press that he believes the name is misleading. “I don’t think something should be called on, say, autopilot,” he said, “when the fine print says you need to keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road at all times.”
NHTSA released its last data on autopilot-related deaths in June of 2022. The previous report linked only three deaths to the technology. Less than a year later, the latest figures indicate 17 deaths, 11 of which occurred since May 2022.
According to The Post, the rise in accidents coincided with the rapid expansion of Tesla’s “fully self-driving” program. In about a year, the software has gone from being installed in nearly 12,000 vehicles to nearly 400,000. Tesla highlighted this growth as a significant achievement in its fourth quarterly update of 2022, stating that it is an “important milestone for the company.” They further stated that “every customer in the US and Canada can now access FSD Beta functionality upon purchase or subscription and begin to experience the evolution of AI-assisted independence.”
NHTSA has been collecting detailed data on accidents involving driver-assistance technology since 2021. Almost all of the 807 automation-related accidents in this dataset involved a Tesla. Subaru (OTC:) came in second with 23.
“NHTSA has an active investigation into Tesla Autopilot, including full self-driving,” company spokeswoman Veronica Morales told reporters, declining to comment further on the ongoing investigation. “NHTSA reminds the public that all advanced driver assistance systems require that the human driver be in control of and fully involved in the driving task at all times. Accordingly, all state laws hold the human driver responsible for operating their vehicles.”
Shares of TSLA rose 3.26% near the end of the day Tuesday.
