Tesla’s Self-Driving Car Failure: Amazing Near-Train Crash Accident Goes Viral
The self-driving car is one of the latest technological breakthroughs. But what happens when these vehicles malfunction? Craig Doty II had the misfortune of finding out.
How Did the Tesla Car Accident Happen?
The self-driving car owner was driving in his car on the morning of May 8. He was driving at around 60 mph on a road with a speed limit of 55 mph.
The Tesla was in self-driving mode, and Doty trusted it to keep him safe. But the car was not as smart as Doty thought. It drove into a railroad crossing, nearly colliding with a moving train.
Doty detected the train at the last minute and steered his car to the right. It slammed into a crossing arm and skidded off the road. If he hadn’t intervened, it would have collided with the train.
“There’s no way it doesn’t see the train. There’s no way it doesn’t see the flashing lights. Yes, it was foggy, but you can still see the lights,” Doty proclaimed.
Pictures reveal the car was significantly damaged, with its right front side mangled and its wheel twisted at an unnatural angle.
The accident was captured on video and shared on social media. It has racked up millions of views.
The video showed that the accident happened in foggy conditions. However, the red lights and moving boxcars made it impossible for any driver or self-driving car to be unaware that a train was moving in front of them. The train crossing signal should have been detected at least five seconds before the accident.
Who Was at Fault for the Damages?
Doty admits the accident was his fault but questions Tesla’s self-driving technology. “You get complacent that it knows what it’s doing. And usually, it’s more cautious than I would be as a driver,” Doty stated.
“I was the only one in the car. I was the only car in the accident. So yes, it was my fault. It had to be. But I felt it was more that the damn car didn’t recognize the train.”
Tesla’s Self-Driving Car Technology
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Mode (FSD), which is still in testing, led to Doty’s accident. The car company promotes the technology as requiring “minimal driver intervention” while advising drivers to keep their hands on the wheel while the car steers.
The company website states the FSD features require active driver supervision. The vehicle should continue to learn and drive smarter the more it drives. However, it may require billions of miles and regulatory approval before it achieves this milestone.
Doty stated that he had his hands on the wheel during the accident. The video footage proves his claim.
Self-Driving Car Technology Up for Scrutiny
Doty’s accident was not the first scrutiny directed at Tesla’s self-driving car technology. Recently, the car manufacturer issued an FSD software update to address stopping issues, and the autopilot feature has also been scrutinized.
Doty has had a similar incident in the past. After making a sharp turn, he encountered a moving train. He swerved his car out of the way and hit a crossbar, damaging his windshield.
This time, Doty was not so fortunate. His car was declared totaled, and he also received a $175 fine for failing to control his vehicle.
He pleaded no contest to the charges but requested leniency due to the technology failure. The court agreed to strike the citation if Doty paid for rail-related damages by July.
“I think Elon Musk can show up and pay the fine. I understand that I am in control of the vehicle, but I don’t go around causing mayhem, getting in wrecks, and driving outlandishly out of control,” Doty said.
The car manufacturer has yet to comment on the incident.