Crash reporting plays an important role in allowing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other governmental agencies to identify motor vehicle safety issues. Because they are relatively new and untested, self-driving vehicles and vehicles with advanced driver assistance features have their own rules. Since 2021, the NHTSA has required manufacturers of these vehicles to provide incident reports on any crashes involving these vehicles.
Before the standing order that requires this reporting was issued, the NHTSA received inconsistent information. Some manufacturers were more likely to report than others, timelines were unpredictable, and the information they did receive wasn’t standardized. While the NHTSA says this information helps them effectively fulfill their charge to protect the public against design issues and other flaws that put the public at unreasonable risk, some manufacturers weren’t happy about the standing order.
Musk’s Tesla Claimed the Standing Order Unfairly Hurt the Company
Notably, Tesla complained that the company was unfairly impacted by the reporting requirement. Tesla claimed that their vigilance in reporting created the false impression that their autonomous vehicles and driver assist features were more dangerous than other companies’. Whether the discrepancy was due to reporting procedures or a higher number of accidents, Tesla has reported more crashes than any other manufacturer.
Now, Reuters is reporting that the Trump transition team has proposed eliminating the reporting requirement, calling it excessive. It’s not clear whether Musk, a major donor to the Trump campaign who has been tapped to co-head a new department aimed at cutting government waste, was involved in crafting the recommendation to revoke the standing order.Â
Self-Driving Cars and Advanced Driver Assistance Crashes
You may be wondering whether the reporting requirement is necessary. The number of autonomous vehicle and advanced driver assistance related crashes is small compared with the overall number of traffic crashes. But, there are far fewer of these vehicles on the road.Â
The safety of fully or partly autonomous vehicles depends to a great degree on the quality of their sensors and software. From the beginning, we’ve seen examples of how disastrous failures can be.Â
Tesla Autopilot Fatalities
The first known self-driving car fatality in the United States occurred in 2016, when a Tesla using Autopilot slammed into a semi trailer. The Tesla passed under the truck, shearing off the top of the car and killing the driver, and continued to travel more than 800 feet on the other side of the truck. Earlier the same year, another Tesla believed to have been operating on Autopilot crashed into a stationary truck, killing the car’s occupant.
In 2018, an Apple engineer operating a Tesla Model X on Autopilot reportedly died when his vehicle crashed into a concrete barrier, was struck by two other vehicles, and then caught fire. And in 2019, the driver of a Tesla Model 3 died in an accident very similar to the 2016 semi-truck crash. At least three additional fatal crashes involving Autopilot were reported in the United States that year.
These are just some examples of the most serious accidents involving Tesla vehicles using Autopilot. A pedestrian fatality was reported in 2023, and the company has reportedly issued two Full Self Driving recalls because the software disobeyed traffic regulations, including allowing the vehicle to run stop signs when traveling at low speeds.
But, autonomous cars and vehicles with advanced driver assistance manufactured by other companies have had their share of problems as well.Â
Other Autonomous Vehicle and Advanced Driver Assist Crashes
In 2018, an Arizona woman was walking her bicycle across a road when she was struck and killed by a self-driving Uber. Investigation revealed that the car’s sensors had detected her presence, but had failed to identify her as a person and so didn’t factor in that she would be moving.Â
While most of these examples date back to an earlier phase of autonomous and advanced driver assistance technology, dozens of crashes are reported each month. In 2023, a RoboTaxi ran over a pedestrian who had been thrown into its path and dragged her approximately 20 feet.Â
The NHTSA Supports Self-Driving Technology
The agency charged with making the roads safer for drivers, passengers, and other road users believes that autonomous and driver assist features can improve safety. However, as the examples above illustrate, there are still issues to address. The NHTSA says the reporting mandate provides the information they need to ensure that these evolving features are designed, constructed and implemented safely.Â
Help for Charleston Car Accident Victims
Whether you have been injured in a crash with a self-driving car or one operated in the traditional manner, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The best way to get information about who may be responsible for your injuries and the types of damages that may be available is to talk to an experienced Charleston car accident lawyer.
To schedule your free consultation, call us today at 843-300-7600 or fill out our contact form.Â