Tesla autonomous tech investigated after two new fatal crashes last month

The peak road safety authority in the US is investigating two fatal crashes involving Tesla electric cars last month.

Since July 2021, the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA) has required car-makers with ‘Level Two’ advanced driver assistance systems to report crashes involving the advanced technology within 24 hours of the incident occurring – followed by a subsequent updated report up to nine days later.

'Level Two' advanced driver assistance systems (an industry ranking to indicate various stages of autonomous technology) include functions such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance – however drivers are always legally required to remain in control. The tech is intended as a fail safe rather than something that should be relied upon.

As reported by Automotive News, two Tesla Model 3 electric cars were involved in separate crashes resulting in a fatality between September 16 and October 15 – although it is not yet clear whether the car-maker’s advanced driver assistance systems were to blame.

Across the 30-day period, NHTSA recorded 18 fatal crashes in the US involving cars fitted with advanced driver assistance systems – the two Tesla incidents accounted for more than 10 per cent of the overall data over the period.

While both Tesla crashes happened in California, Automotive News claims the NHTSA data has been redacted or classified as confidential.

The latest fatal crashes have added to the scrutiny of Tesla’s advanced driver assistance systems.

As previously reported, NHTSA data from July 2021 to June 2022 noted 392 crashes – involving 12 different car brands – involving vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems. In that sample, Tesla vehicles accounted for 273 – or 70 per cent – of the incidents. 

Of the six fatalities where advanced driver assistance systems were considered a factor, Tesla cars accounted for 83 per cent of such crashes.

Last month, overseas reports revealed the US Department of Justice had launched a criminal investigation into Tesla in 2021, following more than a dozen motor vehicle accidents involving the US auto giant’s cars.

The investigation alleges drivers have placed too much reliance on Tesla's driver assistance technology because the names of the systems exaggerate their true capabilities and ignore their limitations.

Tesla advertises its three products as ‘Autopilot’, ‘Enhanced Autopilot’, and ‘Full Self-Driving Capability’ – each providing various Level Two advanced driver assistance functions.

Autopilot is similar to a number of other advanced driver assistance systems offered by several car makers, providing adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance.

Enhanced Autopilot adds functions such as automatic navigation, lane change and parking, while also allowing the car to be summoned by its owner.

While the only addition to Full Self-Driving is the ability to detect and stop for traffic signs and lights, it is the most controversial of Tesla’s advanced driver assistance systems.

Released in September 2021, Full Self-Driving – also known as ‘FSD’ – is a ‘beta’ service which is tested in real-time by the electric car giant’s customers on public roads, with Tesla gathering the data to improve the system.

In 2020, Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed Full Self-Driving would be approved for US roads by the end of the year. The executive reiterated the comments in 2021 and earlier this year.

Last month, Mr Musk announced Tesla’s next level of driver assistance systems would not be permitted for use on US roads before the end of 2022, although the technology would be made available to the electric-car giant’s customers.