Tesla driver blames self-driving mode for eight-vehicle pile-up on San Francisco’s Bay Bridge
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Tesla driver blames self-driving technology for eight-car collision on San Francisco Bay Bridge that left a child in hospital after the vehicle came to a sudden stop in the middle of the road
- Thanksgiving crash hampered Bay Bridge traffic, sent two to hospital
- The accident occurred as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating Tesla’s self-driving programs and considering a possible recall.
- Department of Transportation subagency opened investigation after 16 Tesla accidents were reported
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A Tesla driver blamed self-driving technology for an eight-car crash on the San Francisco Bay Bridge on Thanksgiving, claiming the software malfunctioned.
The accident, which occurred around 12:40 p.m. on Thursday, November 24, caused two people, including a child, to be rushed to hospital. Another 16 people were treated at the scene for injuries. None were life threatening.
According to a CNN reportVideo of the incident shows the Tesla changing lanes and stopping in the middle of the road, causing a dangerous traffic jam that hampered traffic flow for hours.
Some users of Tesla’s self-driving features complain that the brakes sometimes come on “without warning” and “randomly.”
Four ambulances were called to the scene and two lanes were closed for about 90 minutes.
The accident occurred just hours after Elon Musk announced that the company’s “full self-driving” software was available to anyone in North America who requested it.
Previously, it was offered exclusively to drivers with high safety scores in their internal rating system.
When they install the program, drivers are warned that “it can do the wrong thing at the worst time.” The program requires an attentive human driver prepared to take full control of the wheel at any time.
According to the traffic accident report, the driver of the Tesla Model S told the California Highway Patrol that they were traveling at a speed of approximately 55 mph and switched to the left lane when the car’s self-driving technology suddenly opted to brake.
On Thursday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it will send a team to investigate the accident.
The CHP previously said it could not confirm whether full “autonomous driving” software was active at the time of the accident and that Tesla would have that information.
The reports of the holiday crash come as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is already investigating Tesla’s driver assistance programs due to multiple reports of braking occurring “randomly” and “without warning.”
Some have complained about the brakes coming on unexpectedly “repeatedly during a single trip.”
The Thanksgiving crash in San Francisco came just hours after CEO Elon Musk announced that “full self-driving” would be available to all North American Tesla drivers, not just people with high safety scores.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating Tesla over its self-driving technology following a series of accidents and hundreds of safety complaints from Tesla drivers.
An image of the Thanksgiving Day buildup that shut down traffic on the Bay Bridge in San Francisco at lunchtime. The accident included up to eight vehicles.
CNN noted that the agency has received hundreds of complaints from Tesla drivers, some of whom have described near misses and ongoing safety concerns.
Last summer, the agency upgraded its investigation to a so-called engineering analysis, indicating that it may be seriously considering a recall.
NHTSA opened its investigation after 16 accidents involving Teslas.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles also charged Tesla with false advertising for its “autopilot” feature.
The California DMV remains in its discovery stage for final proceedings.