Fact Check: Telsa's full self driving mode is responsible for deaths

Tesla's Full Self-Driving Mode and Its Alleged Link to Fatalities

Introduction

The claim that "Tesla's full self-driving mode is responsible for deaths" has gained traction as incidents involving Tesla vehicles equipped with this technology have been reported. This assertion raises critical questions about the safety and reliability of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, particularly in light of ongoing investigations and data regarding accidents.

What We Know

1. Accident Reports: According to a Wikipedia entry, as of October 2024, there have been several documented incidents involving Tesla's Autopilot and FSD systems that resulted in fatalities. The data indicates that FSD has been implicated in at least two fatal accidents, with some incidents still under investigation to determine the exact role of the technology used at the time of the crashes [1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Tesla_Autopilot_crashes#:~:text=As%20of%20October%202024%2C%20there,of%20Full%20Self%2DDriving%20(FSD).

2. Federal Investigations: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened investigations into Tesla's FSD software, focusing on its involvement in collisions. A report from Reuters notes that the agency is examining over 2.4 million vehicles due to concerns about the FSD system's safety 2.

3. Statistical Data: A report by Car and Driver highlights that since the introduction of FSD, there has been a rise in crashes involving Tesla vehicles, with NHTSA data showing an increase in injuries and fatalities linked to the use of these driver-assistance technologies 4.

4. Legal and Regulatory Scrutiny: The Washington Post reported that the NHTSA's data includes instances where it is unclear whether Autopilot or FSD was in operation during crashes, complicating the assessment of responsibility 3. This ambiguity raises questions about the reliability of the data being used to evaluate the safety of these systems.

5. Public Perception and Criticism: Articles from sources like Forbes and WIRED have raised concerns about the safety of Tesla's FSD, citing incidents where the technology has failed to perform as expected, leading to accidents 79. Critics argue that the system may encourage complacency among drivers, who may over-rely on the technology.

Analysis

The evidence surrounding the claim that Tesla's FSD is responsible for deaths is multifaceted and requires careful examination.

• Source Reliability: The sources cited vary in credibility. Wikipedia provides a broad overview but may not always be up-to-date or comprehensive. News outlets like Reuters and The Washington Post are generally reliable, as they adhere to journalistic standards, but they may also have editorial biases that could influence their reporting. For instance, The Washington Post has been critical of Tesla in the past, which could color its reporting on this issue 3.

• Conflicting Information: While some reports indicate that FSD has been involved in fatal accidents, others emphasize the ambiguity of the data, noting that many incidents involve driver misuse or unclear circumstances regarding the technology's operation 39. This discrepancy highlights the need for further investigation to ascertain the true impact of FSD on safety.

• Methodological Concerns: The methodology used by NHTSA in collecting and analyzing crash data could also be questioned. For example, the classification of incidents as involving FSD or Autopilot can be inconsistent, leading to potential misinterpretations of the data 410.

• Potential Biases: Some sources, such as Tesla Deaths, focus specifically on accidents involving Tesla vehicles, which may lead to a skewed perspective that emphasizes negative outcomes without providing a broader context of overall vehicle safety 5.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The claim that Tesla's full self-driving mode is responsible for deaths is partially true, as there is evidence indicating that the FSD system has been implicated in fatal accidents. However, the context surrounding these incidents is complex. While there have been documented fatalities involving Tesla's FSD, the exact role of the technology in these accidents remains uncertain due to factors such as driver behavior, the ambiguity of data regarding the operation of FSD at the time of crashes, and ongoing investigations.

Moreover, the evidence is limited and often conflicting, with some reports emphasizing the potential for driver misuse or unclear circumstances surrounding the technology's involvement. This complexity underscores the need for further research and analysis to fully understand the implications of Tesla's FSD on road safety.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate the information presented and consider the nuances involved in assessing the safety of autonomous driving technologies. The ongoing investigations and evolving data will be crucial in forming a more comprehensive understanding of this issue.

Sources

1. List of Tesla Autopilot crashes - Wikipedia. Link
2. US probes Tesla's Full Self-Driving software in 2.4 mln cars. Reuters. Link
3. Tesla 'Autopilot' crashes and fatalities surge. The Washington Post. Link
4. Report: Tesla Autopilot Involved in 736 Crashes since 2019. Car and Driver. Link
5. Tesla Deaths: Every Tesla Accident Resulting in Death. Tesla Deaths. Link
6. Tesla's "Full Self-Driving" system faces probe after fatal accident. CBS News. Link
7. Just How Safe Is Tesla's Full Self-Driving Mode? Forbes. Link
8. Tesla Autopilot Accidents: Legal Rights & Liability Explained. Team Justice. Link
9. Tesla Autopilot Was Uniquely Risky—and May Still Be. WIRED. Link
10. Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving linked to hundreds of accidents. The Verge. Link