"We don’t have all the details yet of how the Tesla crash happened, so we don’t yet know what happened and who’s at fault. But it’s not too early to think through how beta-testing of autonomous cars should proceed on public roads, if at all."
Tesla Model S Involved In Fatal Crash While in Autopilot Mode - NHTSA to Investigate Tesla Autopilot Mode
"What we know is that the vehicle was on a divided highway with Autopilot engaged when a tractor trailer drove across the highway perpendicular to the Model S. Neither Autopilot nor the driver noticed the white side of the tractor trailer against a brightly lit sky, so the brake was not applied. The high ride height of the trailer combined with its positioning across the road and the extremely rare circumstances of the impact caused the Model S to pass under the trailer, with the bottom of the trailer impacting the windshield of the Model S. Had the Model S impacted the front or rear of the trailer, even at high speed, its advanced crash safety system would likely have prevented serious injury as it has in numerous other incidents."
DVD player found in Tesla car in Florida crash, authorities say
Tesla said in a statement Friday, "Autopilot is by far the most advanced driver assistance system on the road, but it does not turn a Tesla into an autonomous vehicle and does not allow the driver to abdicate responsibility."
My take:
1. "But, he (Baressi, the tractor trailer driver) said, by the time the Tesla struck the white trailer carrying the blueberries, "he was in the slow (right) lane ... I thought he had a heart attack or something. I don't know why he went over to the slow lane when he had to have seen me."
The truck was going very slow. The impact occurred when the Tesla was in the right (slow) lane. The truck (turning left) hadn't cleared either lane--it was blocking the entire roadway in the direction that the Tesla was going. Baressi was only halfway, or less, making his left turn.
2. The Tesla "driver" was watching a video.
3. The Tesla was probably speeding.
4. "I saw him just cresting the hill so I gave it the gas," said Baressi, who said the Tesla was in the left of two eastbound lanes, or the passing lane."
"... cresting the hill ..."? This is inconsistent with my experience in FL--flat.
5. Based on my observations and experience, the truck likely pulled out in front of the Tesla, failing to yield the right-or-way. I see it all the time. Slow tractor trailers pull out in traffic "knowing" that oncoming traffic will slow down, and stop, if the truck is completely blocking the roadway, as this one did.
6. This accident involved 2 vehicles. Others could have been involved.
7. Bottom line: Beta testing software shouldn't be allowed on public roads.
more: Tesla driver killed in crash while using car's 'Autopilot' - 12 News
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