Numerous pieces need to aptly portray the essence of Autopilot Safety mechanisms, with the recent article from The Washington Post standing out for its inaccuracies and lack of pertinent context.

At Tesla, we firmly uphold our moral duty to enhance our already exemplary safety protocols continually. Simultaneously, we staunchly advocate for the wider dissemination of these protocols to a broader audience, given the indisputable evidence showcasing their efficacy in saving lives and preventing harm.

Regulators worldwide bear the responsibility of safeguarding consumers, and we at Tesla eagerly anticipate further collaboration with them in pursuit of our shared objective: the minimization of fatalities and injuries on our roadways.

Here, we present crucial facts, context, and insights:

Contextual Background

• Enhanced Safety Metrics with Autopilot Engagement
  a. In the final quarter of 2022, the incidence of crashes stood at one per 4.85 million miles driven with Autopilot engaged, compared to one per 1.40 million miles without its assistance. By contrast, recent data from NHTSA and FHWA (as of 2021) indicates an average automobile crash rate of approximately one per 652,000 miles in the United States.
  b. The empirical evidence overwhelmingly supports the notion that increased automation correlates with heightened safety for drivers and other road users. The anecdotes cited in The Washington Post emanate from cases of substantial driver error and do not substitute rigorous analysis backed by billions of miles of data.
  c. Continual data updates reaffirm this trend, underscoring Autopilot’s superiority. It is estimated to be approximately ten times safer than the U.S. average and five times safer than a Tesla lacking Autopilot technology. Further detailed insights will soon be publicly accessible.
• Autopilot Features: A Level 2 Driver-Assist System
  a. Autopilot features, including Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer, operate as SAE Level 2 driver-assist systems. This classification dictates that, regardless of Autosteer engagement, the driver retains full control of the vehicle at all times. The driver acknowledges this responsibility, consents to it, agrees to oversee the driving assistance, and can disengage at will.
  b. Despite the driver’s ultimate responsibility for vehicle control, Tesla has implemented numerous additional safety measures to ensure active driver supervision. These measures include torque-based and camera-based monitoring systems, which undergo continuous refinement to mitigate misuse.
  c. Based on the considerations above, the data overwhelmingly indicates that our customers benefit significantly from autonomy when it comes to determining when to engage Autopilot features. When utilized appropriately, these features yield safety enhancements across all types of roads.

The Washington Post distorts instances of driver misapplication of the Autopilot driver-assist feature, erroneously implicating the system itself. The article misrepresents the contents of the pending lawsuit and overlooks several critical details:

• Contrary to The Post’s assertions, the Complaint does not mention complacency or Operational Design Domain.
• Instead, it acknowledges the adverse effects of driver distraction, misuse, and negligence.
• Mr. Angulo and Ms. Benavides’ parents initially pursued legal action against the Tesla driver, settling with him before filing a claim against Tesla.
• The lawsuit alleges that the Tesla driver “carelessly and/or recklessly” proceeded through the intersection, disregarding the stop sign and traffic signal.
• The Tesla driver did not hold Tesla accountable or seek compensation from the company. He assumed full responsibility.
• The Post selectively reports the driver’s statements to law enforcement, stating that he was “driving on cruise.” However, it omits his admission that he expected to maintain control and responsibility.
• In subsequent testimony, the driver affirmed his awareness that Autopilot did not render the car fully autonomous. He reiterated his responsibility for safe operation despite claims of misinformation or overreliance.
• The Post neglects to mention that Autopilot limited the vehicle’s speed to 45 mph (by the speed limit) on the road in question. Despite this, the driver accelerated to 60 mph, disregarding the alert indicating that cruise control would not engage due to manual acceleration.