Tesla Model 3 crashes into police vehicle while on autopilot

A Tesla Model 3 was engaged in Autopilot when it rear-ended a parked police car in Connecticut over the weekend, the Stamford Advocate first reported Saturday.

The driver told police that he was checking on his dog in the backseat when his Tesla Model 3 rear-ended a cruiser, then continued to also strike a disabled car.

A Tesla spokesperson was not immediately available to comment.
Autopilot enables Tesla vehicles to steer, accelerate and brake automatically within their lanes, and move into different lanes. However, Tesla says the system still requires “active driver supervision,” according to the company’s website. Incidents such as this one renew concerns that Tesla is not serious about enforcing safe use of the feature.

The collision occurred early Saturday morning, police said in a Facebook post, after a state trooper stopped on I-95 in the city of Norwalk to assist a disabled vehicle that was occupying the left center lane. As the officers waited with the driver of the disabled vehicle for a tow truck, the 2018 Tesla Model 3 with a license plate that read “MODEL3” struck the cars.

The driver was issued a misdemeanor summons for reckless driving and reckless endangerment, police said. No one was injured in the incident, though photos posted by police on Facebook show substantial damage done to the Tesla and the police car.

The incident has revived concerns about the safety of Tesla’s autopilot feature, which drivers have been documented misusing in the past. Even though the company’s vehicle user manuals caution drivers to remain attentive while driving and keep their hands on the steering wheel, Tesla CEO Elon Musk sometimes retweets videos portraying hands-free use of Autopilot. Some drivers have posted videos that appear to show the driver asleep at the wheel while Autopilot is employed.

Tesla’s Autopilot has been involved in crashes before. The feature was known to be engaged during three fatal crashes in the U.S., including a 2018 Model 3 crash in Delray Beach, Florida. The National Transportation Safety Board, a federal safety authority, is investigating whether or not and how much Autopilot may have contributed to that Model 3 crash.



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[CeBePuH]

If just 1 (one!!!) crash makes all the headlines... It must be insanely safe

[glstoddard]

Imagine if all accidents were reported like Tesla ones. There would be no room for any other news.

[Anthony__]

they always point out how many people have died in Tesla crashes but dont compare ICE vechicles driving simular amount of miles..HATERS

[diannemoyes]

It is a automobile. They get into accidents. The driver still has to still pay attention. I appreciate the reporter making this point.

[markplott]

CNBC TV - the Cybertruck is a working PRODUCTION vehicle, for all Intents and Purpose the Cybertruck is a finished Design.
it just needs DOT regulated parts affixed to the outside of the Truck.
it even has Modified DOT compliant headlights and front and rear Running lights.
the truck bed was retracted to allow the Driver to see out the back, and the Digital Rearview camera was operating, instead of Mirrors.

[tommanley]

People think this tech is flawless & rely on it when they should not, people are stupid.

[yesiwoeairhf]

0:45. Its not "Model S'. Its clearly a Model 3.

[F_And]

The fact there is only 1 accident per year with this car must mean it's incredibly safe.

[Tangopassion]

Oh yes a Tesla crashed, how terrible. And how many BMW, Ford, Mercedes, etc. crashes we had? Ridiculous you guy's

[iamactuallytoxic]

It doesn’t mean that autopilot is still worse than the driver because I don’t see a thousand crashes everyday from auto piloted Tesla’s but we all see millions of crashes caused by humans every year

[computerjantje]

bla bla bla bla this is old school television. not suited for youtube

[patricksokoloski]

It’s great that we have the self driving and self parking technology already. I know that someday when motor vehicles become fully autonomous self driving, people are going to trust it, laws are going to be changed and there will be no more accidents, no more speeding tickets, no more stop sign/red light running tickets, no more DUIs, no more distracted driving, no more texting while driving tickets, no more idiots swerving or drifting in & out of traffic or lanes and hopefully no more road kills either. I know that with self driving cars, everyone will have an easy way to get around, including the elderly and disabled or who ever has difficulty getting around. I know that there will be self driving trucks and RVs too. What's the point of needing a drivers license when you can get a self driving car lol?

[Shockocksthegreat]

So we have like 2 autopilot wrecks. And how many daily non autopilot wrecks? Still safer than letting people drive.

[amevaio]

people dont understand that it is not fully autopilot and it is difficult to develop such tech. i am developing ADAS system for Japanese brands like toyota and honda and so I know how diff it is

[jolabug]

That cyber truck is stupidly looking car

[cbjueueiwyru]

Nice save on the title. Proofreading skills 0% You originally listed it as a Model S.

[matthewgaines]

Airline pilots are still responsible for flights under the control of autopilot. Drivers are still responsible for cars under any form of automation. The side of the road is where you go to check on your pets. I wish they would take people's licenses for such gross negligence. They admitted to sitting behind the wheel and not giving it the attention necessary to avoid an accident. This is as bad as texting or drunk driving behind the wheel.

[emc]

People don't understand but I'll repeat that Tesla is not an AI car, but it is automated! Automation and AI are way different things!

[paulsommerhalder]

Phil was just on again with another preachy "stay-engaged" rant. He is really demonstrative about-it. These vehicles are not self-driving Screams Phil....jeez

[dr-syfs]

There are over 15, 000 car accidents each day. MSM is manipulating peoples perception by reporting things out of context (when its not outright lying, as it does about War, false flags, terrorism, or covering up as it does for Pedosatanist networks)