Two shocking incidents have sent shockwaves across the US, highlighting serious concerns about the safety of Tesla's automated driving systems. A 76-year-old woman was killed and another driver narrowly escaped with their life after their Teslas crashed into a home and a swimming pool, respectively.
The fatal crash occurred in Katy, Texas, on Friday night when a Tesla Model 3 slammed into a residential property at high speed. Martha Avila Mantilla, who was inside the relative's home, was airlifted to hospital but later pronounced dead. The driver, Michael Butler, told investigators that the vehicle's automated driving assistance system was active at the time of the collision. He claimed he failed to maintain a single lane and left the road before striking the residence, showing no signs of intoxication.
Just days earlier, in New Canaan, Connecticut, an 18-year-old lifeguard leapt into action after a Tesla driver crashed through trees and into a municipal swimming pool on Tuesday morning. The uninjured driver was pulled from a passenger window by Mike D'Urso as the car began to submerge. The pool had not yet opened for the day, and it subsequently required draining and cleaning. Authorities suspect the driver may have hit the accelerator instead of the brake while attempting to park.
These incidents come amid ongoing scrutiny of Tesla's automated driving technologies. In 2023, the company issued a recall for over 2 million vehicles to implement additional controls and alerts for its systems. This followed an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which found that the existing software did not ensure drivers remained attentive while using the systems.
Tesla insists that neither its 'Autopilot' nor 'Full Self-Driving Capability' systems make vehicles autonomous, and drivers must remain fully engaged with their hands on the steering wheel at all times. However, incidents like these raise questions about the effectiveness of the company's safety measures.