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Fatal Tesla Crash Near Seattle Raises Concerns Over "Full Self-Driving" Safety

Fatal Tesla Crash Near Seattle Raises Concerns Over “Full Self-Driving” Safety

Tesla Driver Using “Full Self-Driving” Mode Involved in Fatal Crash Near Seattle

A Tesla driver utilizing the company’s “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) mode was involved in a fatal collision with a motorcyclist outside Seattle, raising fresh concerns about the safety of Tesla’s autonomous driving features. The incident, which resulted in the death of the motorcyclist, has brought renewed scrutiny to the electric vehicle manufacturer’s self-driving technology.

According to public records obtained by NPR, the Tesla driver, Scott Hunter, expressed confusion and distress following the crash. Hunter admitted to being distracted by his phone at the time of the incident, with data showing his hands were off the steering wheel for over a minute before the collision occurred.

The crash has reignited debates surrounding Tesla’s FSD feature, which critics argue is misleadingly named and may contribute to a false sense of security among drivers. Despite its name, FSD requires active driver supervision and does not make the vehicle fully autonomous.

Regulators have been closely monitoring Tesla’s FSD and Autopilot systems, which have been linked to numerous crashes and fatalities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has ongoing investigations into several incidents involving Tesla vehicles operating with these features engaged.

Tesla recently released an update called “Full Self-Driving (Supervised),” but reports indicate that the software still performs poorly in certain situations. Despite these concerns, Tesla maintains that FSD is safer than human drivers, a claim that has drawn criticism from safety experts and consumer advocates.

Missy Cummings, a former senior safety advisor at NHTSA, warns that Tesla’s self-driving features’ marketing may create a false sense of security among drivers. “The way Tesla markets these systems leads people to believe they’re more capable than they are,” Cummings stated.

Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced plans for an “unsupervised” version of FSD, potentially raising further safety concerns. As the debate continues, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is considering new regulations to address the growing challenges of autonomous driving technologies.

This latest incident underscores the ongoing controversy surrounding Tesla’s self-driving capabilities and the need for clearer guidelines and safety measures in the rapidly evolving field of autonomous vehicles.