TLDR:
- The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated Tesla Autopilot and similar automated driving systems as “poor.”
- Of the 14 systems tested, only Lexus’s system received an “acceptable” rating.
The Insurance Institute found that many systems do not do enough to ensure driver attention and safety while using automated features. Some systems even allowed unsafe behaviors like lane changes without driver input.
Key Elements of the Article:
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently rated Tesla Autopilot and similar automated driving systems as “poor” in terms of safety. These systems combine different sensors and technologies to assist drivers in keeping their vehicles in the lane and avoiding collisions on highways. However, most of the systems tested lack appropriate safeguards to ensure driver attention and safety.
Of the 14 systems evaluated, only Lexus’s system received an “acceptable” rating, while others, including Tesla’s Autopilot and General Motors’ Super Cruise, were rated as “poor” or “marginal.” The Institute found that these systems do not do a good job of monitoring driver attention and ensuring safe driving practices. Some systems even allow unsafe behaviors like automatic lane changes without driver input, which could lead to disengagement from driving.
The Institute emphasized the importance of regulating these systems to promote safer driving practices. With the rise of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), efforts like the ratings report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety are essential for establishing unified safeguards. It is crucial for automakers to prioritize consumer safety and implement necessary features to ensure attentive and safe driving behaviors.