Tesla Model S Bumped Into Trailer - Driver Died In The Fatal Accident

MANILA: Just when the world's best auto brands are working on packing their fleets with latest and most innovative technologies, a sad news has taken over the headlines. The American automaker Tesla which is known for its innovatively styled electric cars is facing a big question on the security and safety of the on-boarders on its electric fleet. Tesla is already flying high in the response of its Model 3 launched in April 2016 but seems, this time, it has hit the thunderbolt. Tesla is among the first auto brands to pack its cars with autopilot system and has always claimed it to be safe. But, a recent happening has proved that the development in technology till date in the self-driving system is not good enough to ensure peace of mind and complete safety.

Image Courtesy - Reuters

Yes, the entrusted technology is under a scanner since May this year when the Model S failed to sense the danger and crashed with a large 18-wheel truck. The accident proved to be fatal for the 40 years old driver Joshua Brown who was driving the car in autonomous mode and possibly watching a movie. The said mishappening occurred on 7th May in Williston while running on the highway. The well-trusted Tesla's autopilot mode was on in Brown's Model S but the car's sensor system failed to recognize a semi-trailer, which out of nowhere turned into the driveway of the car, and stuck the underside of the trailer. The car didn't stop even then and received immediate impact on its windshield. The deadlocked car further went off the road and got hit by a pole and two wire fences and finally took a halt around 100 feet away.

The driver was severely injured and was provided immediate medical attention but sadly couldn't be saved. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the U.S. has taken this matter as a big glitch in the safety on the highway and opened an inquiry. Tesla has released its condolences for the deceased driver and a statement mentioning that this is the first ever case since any Tesla drive is on the road. In its 537-word statement, Tesla mentioned that this fatal accident happened in some 130 million miles driven by the customers while the records state that in the U.S., there is a road casualty every 94 million miles. With this, the Tesla authority has also cited that though the company is working towards improving this autonomous technology but till date, nothing is perfect. The technology gives the convenience of not watching the road without blinking but that should not make them completely dependent on the technology and take their hands off the wheel.

Well, the accident has not only proved to be fatal for the deceased but for the company. Also, it is now an undecided future for other automakers who are already working on the autonomous technology. We still have to wait for some more time till the NHTSA issues its final report on this and offers a clean chit to autonomous technology.