Keep your eye on the road. -your life depends on it. .

  


 

 Tesla reported recently on a Model S ( you know, the one that boasts Autopilot ) fatal crash while the autopilot was engaged. This is the first such known fatality and it is to be investigated by the NHTSA (National Traffic Highway Safety Administration).  Apparently the vehicle was on a divided highway with the autopilot engaged, when a tractor trailer drove across the highway. The account goes on to state that neither the autopilot or the human driver noticed the white side of the tractor trailer against the bright white sky and so the brakes were not applied.  The Model S passed under the high trailer with the bottom of the trailer hitting the windscreen, sheering off the roof completely. 
    Apparently, when the driver activates the autopilot an acknowledgement box explains that it is, "an assist feature that requires you to keep your hand on the wheel at all times."  It also points out that "you are responsible for the vehicle at all times while operating it.  "Be prepared to take over at any time."   Tesla seems to think that this exonerates them from further responsibility and goes on to claim,"autopilot results in a statistically significant improvement in safety when compared to purely manual driving."  (Might it just have something to do with who is driving?)
   The investigation will no doubt be complicated by the fact that the driver had a history of speeding (he had eight speeding tickets in a six year span, according to the Associated Press) and that the truck driver at the time of the crash said the Tesla was going so fast that he didn't see it.  In addition, a digital video disc player was found in the Tesla according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Apparently a witness came forward and stated there was a Harry Potter movie playing on it, when he got to the scene.  A Federal investigation is ongoing and the black box will surely throw some light on exactly what happened.  
   At the very least Tesla must be found liable for hiring someone who was obviously unfit for the job, based on his driving record alone.  There are many jurisdictions where someone with this man's driving record would probably not qualify for a license at all.. It is hard to understand how Tesla could employ him and how an insurer would take on such a  client, and even harder to understand how cavalierly a State will put its citizens at risk.  Could it be because the 'politically correct' Elite would put anyone (except themselves) at risk to advance their 'junk science' beliefs?   
   This is truly a cautionary tale, because any moving vehicle that does not have a fully attentive human being in charge is more dangerous than a loaded gun!