The National Transport and Safety Board have already concluded its investigations behind the infamous Tesla crash in 2021, where two people died aboard a 2019 Model S that crashed into a tree. The board ruled out Tesla's Autopilot driving system to be its culprit after initially being pointed out as its cause, claiming the lives of its two passengers.
It was thought to be the Autopilot because no drivers were found in the driver's seat, and it became speculation for the ability to use the feature despite having no people behind the wheel.
NTSB: Tesla Autopilot is Not the Cause for 2021 Texas Crash
(Photo : David von Diemar)
The NTSB's report ruled the accident as human error, and its rapid acceleration in two seconds from 39 miles per hour to a rapid increase to 67 mph resulted from the driver's loss of control. The board said it is due to " impairment from alcohol intoxication in combination with the effects of two sedating antihistamines, resulting in a roadway departure, tree impact and post-crash fire."
Its report also got its data from Tesla, which supplied the necessary information in the case, claiming that the Autopilot was not used "at any time during this ownership period of the vehicle."
This takes the blame from Tesla, which was then criticized for its faulty system, and alleged engagement of the Autopilot despite not having any drivers behind the wheel.
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Tesla Autopilot is Clear of Allegations in This Case
According to Ars Technica, the Autopilot driving feature is now clear of the allegations in this case, particularly after receiving significant backlash for its system.
It was presumed that the driver was trying to escape after the crash, thus explaining why he was found in the rear seats instead of his rightful position in maneuvering the vehicle.
Tesla Autopilot Crash in 2021
Back in 2021, just as Tesla released its Q1 safety report of the year, there was a report of a horrific accident where two of its passengers died on the spot after crashing into a tree. This took place in Spring, Texas; also, the company's current headquarters state, and these passengers were riding in a 2019 Tesla Model S.
Of course, this Model S was equipped with the company's Autopilot.
This turned the eye of regulators and safety boards to investigate the incident and ask Tesla for driver logs and other information that may help solve it. Additionally, one of the most thrilling aspects of this crash was that there was no one in the driver's seat when it took place, and it immediately shifted the blame to Tesla's Autopilot.
Elon Musk defended this and said Autopilot would not engage without anyone in the driver's seat.
Now, the actual investigation results are here, and it is determined that it was not indeed the Autopilot to be causing the accident; instead, it is cause by human error. Tesla is out of the woods for this case, but there are still pending investigations and open cases on their crashes using its vehicles.
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