A Tesla owner reported a harrowing experience where his vehicle,while on Autopilot,erroneously navigated onto an active train track,according to the Woodland Police Department in California.The incident,which occurred outside Sacramento,has prompted the department to issue a cautionary statement to Tesla drivers about the potential risks of relying too heavily on the Autopilot system.
The police have yet to confirm the details of the incident as their investigation is ongoing.They have not disclosed the driver’s identity or the state of the vehicle post-incident.However,they emphasized the importance of vigilance when using the Autopilot feature,advising drivers to remain alert,keep hands on the wheel,and continuously check their surroundings,even when the car is operating in self-driving mode.
This recent mishap marks the second such incident within a two-month span where a Tesla on Autopilot has mistakenly entered railway tracks.The previous incident,reported on May 8,nearly led to a collision with a freight train,as captured in a video where the Tesla narrowly swerves away from an oncoming train in foggy conditions.Following this close call,the involved driver admitted to becoming too comfortable with the technology,per an NBC report.
Tesla’s Autopilot is advertised as a system designed to enhance the safety and comfort of driving by reducing the driver’s workload.However,Tesla consistently states that this technology does not render the vehicle fully autonomous and should not substitute for an attentive driver.Despite Elon Musk’s assurances that self-driving cars are close to becoming a mainstream reality and claims of Autopilot’s safety superiority,the practical application has seen significant challenges.In December,Tesla recalled over 2 million vehicles over Autopilot concerns,and a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report in April highlighted over 200 front-end collisions involving Autopilot,including 13 fatalities.
Tesla has not responded to inquiries regarding this latest incident.