Another Probe Launched in Tesla Autopilot Crash; 12th So Far

According to Consumer Report’s magazine, the latest version of Tesla’s Autopilot function is doing nothing to quash concerns. The tests performed revealed that the Autopilot’s new upgrade performed worse than human drivers and even created new risks when the company is already facing scrutiny over the system. One of the features, which allows the car to automatically change lanes on a highway without confirmation from the driver presented problems. It would cut other drivers off and would also pass other vehicles illegally. This does not come as good news for a company that is already facing increased scrutiny over several auto accidents that were believed to be caused by the Autopilot system.

ZDNET reports that a new Tesla crash that was fatal is being probed by a U.S. agency to see if there was an autopilot link. The 12th probe of a National Highway Traffic Safety Association into Tesla’s Autopilot system involves a California accident.

The crash occurred last Sunday in a Los Angeles suburb. A male was speeding in a Tesla Model 3 and ran a red light as he exited the 91 Freeway in Gardena. He then slammed into the back of a Honda Civic. Two of the passengers in the Civic were pronounced dead at the scene. The two occupants of the Tesla went to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

The NHTSA has assigned a crash investigation team to inspect the scene of the accident. Previous probes into accidents have led the NTSB to conclude that many drivers are putting too much faith in the Autopilot systems, leading to crash.