Tech
The Dangers of Autonomous Driving Technology: The Deadly Accident in Washington
Explore the advantages of autonomous driving technology along with the dangers it brings. The fatal accident in Washington raises significant questions about the safety of these innovative systems. Examine the incident and its consequences.
A tragic accident occurred in Washington in April 2024, resulting in the death of a motorcyclist due to a Tesla vehicle. The investigation into this accident has concluded, revealing the causes of the crash. According to the investigators’ report, it was determined that the Tesla was operating in autonomous driving mode at the time of the accident.
In the examinations conducted by the Washington State Patrol, the event data recorder of a 2022 Tesla Model S was analyzed in relation to the accident that occurred on April 19, approximately 15 miles northeast of Seattle on the east side of State Route 522. According to these records, the vehicle’s self-driving mode was found to be active. Just before the accident, the driver, whose identity has not been disclosed, admitted to the police that his Tesla was in autonomous driving mode and that he was looking at his phone at that time.
At the time of the accident, the Tesla collided with the back of the motorcycle, crushing 28-year-old Jeffrey Nissen underneath the vehicle. This situation raised serious concerns regarding the safety of autonomous driving technology. Tesla’s sensors should have detected the motorcyclist well in advance and adjusted to a safe distance. Such incidents lead to questions about the trust in artificial intelligence-based autonomous driving systems.
“We won’t give up on autonomous driving even if we die!” This statement has become a common attitude among users of this technology. Last year, more than 2 million Tesla vehicles were recalled due to driver negligence during Autopilot mode. Additionally, the use of terms like “Autopilot or Full Self Driving” in Tesla’s advertisements has been banned.
Despite these fatal accidents and near-death experiences, many people find it difficult to accept the reality that autonomous driving technologies are still not safe enough. This situation can lead drivers to abandon steering control and attempt to watch movies or sleep in the vehicle.