Tesla issues several safety claims on its Autopilot system

Many New York motorists are interested in autonomous driving technologies, especially for the safety boost that they could provide. When human error is taken out of the driving equation, car accidents could decline dramatically. So far, however, it’s not clear how well the existing semi-autonomous systems perform in improving roadway safety. In Tesla’s recently published voluntary report, the automaker claims that drivers who use its Autopilot system to automate some driving functions are less likely to be involved in a car accident.

In addition, the report claims that Tesla drivers using Autopilot are far less likely to be involved in an auto crash than the general population. Tesla notes that it registered one accident or related event for every 3.34 million miles driven by an Autopilot-using driver. On the other hand, Tesla drivers with the software turned off traveled 1.92 miles between similar incidents. The severity of the car accidents was not revealed. It was also not indicated whether the crashes involved injuries or who was at fault.

The Autopilot system includes several semi-autonomous technologies, including adaptive cruise control and steering assistance. This means that Autopilot is more useful — and more likely to be used — on large highways and freeways. Drivers are more likely to turn off the system on small roads or crowded city streets. Some analysts have criticized the technology for making drivers overly confident and therefore more likely to engage in other types of negligent behavior.

While autonomous technologies are being developed by many large manufacturers, negligent and dangerous driving still poses a major threat on the road. Someone who has been injured in a car accident due to negligent or dangerous driving can work with a personal injury lawyer to seek compensation for their damages.

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