A recent car crash involving a National Football League coach has brought to light an important lesson about the use of autonomous vehicles. The coach, who was driving a Tesla vehicle, was involved in an accident that left him with several injuries, including a concussion, broken nose, three broken ribs, a broken hand, and 40 stitches.
Details of the Accident
The accident occurred on July 14 when the coach’s Tesla Model S shifted into oncoming traffic and hit a 21-year-old woman driving an SUV. The coach, Kyle Shanahan, was using Tesla’s Autopilot feature at the time of the accident. He reached for his phone, which had fallen, and briefly took his eyes off the road. The accident happened while Shanahan was driving home at 6:12 p.m., going around 20 miles per hour.
Taking Responsibility
Unlike some other incidents involving autonomous vehicles, Shanahan is taking responsibility for the accident. He told reporters, “It’s always your fault. Whether you’re on autopilot or not, you can’t take your eyes off the road.” Shanahan also made sure to correct the record after it was initially reported that the other driver was at fault.
Comparison with FSD
The accident highlights the differences between Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) features. While Autopilot is an older system that requires constant driver supervision, FSD is a more advanced system that can perform driving tasks. However, even with FSD, drivers are still required to remain attentive and be prepared to take over the driving at any time.
Level 2 Driver-Assistance System
Autopilot is currently a Level 2 driver-assistance system, which means that it requires a human to be fully responsible at all times, even as the vehicle does things like steer, brake, and accelerate on its own. Shanahan, who has been using Autopilot for nine years, is comfortable with the feature but acknowledges that it is not a substitute for human attention.
Lessons Learned
The accident provides an important lesson about the limitations of autonomous vehicles. Shanahan’s decision to take his eyes off the road, even for a few seconds, was enough to cause an accident. This incident highlights the need for drivers to remain vigilant and attentive, even when using autonomous features.
Contrasting Reactions
The incident is in contrast to a recent case in Colorado, where a driver received a speeding ticket while using FSD. The driver claimed that they were not responsible for the speeding, as they were using the autonomous feature. However, the police officer responding to the incident made it clear that the driver is ultimately responsible for the vehicle’s actions.
Conclusion
The accident involving Kyle Shanahan serves as a reminder that autonomous vehicles are not yet fully autonomous. Drivers must remain attentive and prepared to take over the driving at any time, even when using advanced features like Autopilot or FSD. As the technology continues to evolve, it is essential to prioritize driver safety and responsibility.