NTSB Questions If Current Raft Of Safety Aids Is Simply Breeding Complacent Drivers

For years, U.S. investigators have been calling for more automation on motor vehicles, such as sensors that slam on the brakes to prevent a crash.

At the same time, the National Transportation Safety Board, in its probes of transportation mishaps, has warned that such devices may also have a down side: the technology can confuse operators if it’s poorly designed or lead to complacency that breeds its own hazards.

Now, for the first time in a highway accident, those two potentially contradictory themes will be put to the test as the NTSB opens an investigation into a fatal accident involving a Tesla Motors Inc. sedan that was driving with a feature called Autopilot enabled.

“It’s very significant,” said Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety advocacy group in Washington. “The NTSB only investigates crashes with broader implications.”

MDarringer - 7/11/2016 3:40:21 PM

+1 Boost

Have they not been catching on to the lazy morons who want the car to drive for them so they can watch Harry Potter and play with rubix cubes even if they get killed in the process?

Driver's training in the USA is low-standard training. Yes the driver assist technologies make people safer, but they also let drivers believe they are safer than they really are.

Then again Clarence Ditlow is Joan Claybrook in drag or is it vice versa?

jeffgall - 7/11/2016 5:47:31 PM

0 Boost

I have a major issue with backup cameras and people relying too much on them. In two situations, I took my kid out of the car and put her down close to a parked car. Car started up and was about to reverse. Because the driver could not see her through top the camera, as she was at the rear corner of the car, he would have backed over her had I not slammed on the window.

MDarringer - 7/11/2016 7:06:29 PM

0 Boost

AGREE (hell has frozen over) Been there with my oldest and the driver got mad at me. Oh fcuk NO #unpretty