In addition, the NHTSA is ‘talking’ with Tesla about a tragic collision involving a tractor-trailer.
WASHINGTON (AP) – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched a special investigation into a fatal pedestrian incident in California using a 2018 Tesla Model 3 in which an advanced driver assistance system is suspected of being used.
In an emailed report on Thursday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mentioned the California event but did not name the precise collision.
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, on June 7, a Tesla flew airborne and hit and killed a lady. According to NBC-7 in San Diego, a 39-year-old man was charged in the incident with vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence of narcotics.
Since 2016, the NHTSA has started 35 special collision investigations involving Tesla cars in which advanced driver assistance technologies such as Autopilot were suspected of being engaged. Every year, the NHTSA launches more than 100 special accident investigations on developing technology and other possible car safety hazards, which have previously helped to set safety guidelines for airbags.
In those Tesla investigations, 15 collision fatalities have been documented, including the most recent event.
Tesla did not reply to a request for comment after disbanding its press office.
Separately, the NHTSA told Reuters that it was aware of “and in conversations with Tesla” about a Florida collision that killed a 66-year-old Tesla driver and a 67-year-old passenger on Wednesday. According to a police complaint, a 2015 Tesla rear-ended a tractor-trailer near Gainesville at a rest stop along Interstate 75. Both occupants of the Tesla were declared deceased at the spot.
In June, the NHTSA escalated its defect investigation into 830,000 Tesla (TSLA.O) cars equipped with Autopilot, a necessary step before requesting a recall.
After nearly a dozen incidents in which Tesla cars collided with stopped emergency vehicles, the NHTSA launched a preliminary study of the system in 765,000 vehicles, and said last month that it had detected six further crashes.
On Wednesday, NHTSA Administrator Steven Cliff told Reuters that he wants to conclude the Tesla Autopilot inquiry “as soon as possible, but I also want to do it properly. We have a large amount of material to go through.”
Tesla and security
While Tesla is recognized for being a technologically advanced manufacturer that emphasizes the “fun” part of its cars via video games and other entertainment, safety is really its primary concern, and Tesla has been quite successful in this regard. Both the Model S and Model X received 5-star safety ratings, with some of the lowest risk of serious injury ever known.
The Model 3 has received multiple safety accolades, including 5-star ratings in all categories and the lowest chance of harm ever tested from NHTSA, 5 stars from Euro NCAP, which has been lauded as creating a “new safety technology standard,” and 5 stars from Australasia NCAP.
Tesla Model Y safety evaluation
Because the Model Y is Tesla’s most recent car, it has not yet been subjected to all of the same testing, but it has received some encouraging findings from the first few organizations that have crash-tested the electric SUV.
Model Y passed the NHTSA crash test earlier this year.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has now issued its safety rating for the most recent Tesla Model Y, and it received the best possible grade.
