Study Reveals Rampant Misuse of Tesla Autopilot: A Wake-Up Call for Driver-Assist Safety

Research: Motorists Improperly Exploiting Tesla's Automated Driving Feature

According to a recent report released on Tuesday by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), while technology such as Tesla's Autopilot is designed to decrease the number of accidents, there's an increased tendency for drivers to lose focus as they become more accustomed to using these driver-assistance systems.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and MIT's AgeLab conducted individual research using Autopilot and Volvo's Pilot Assist features. The findings from both inquiries indicated that while drivers maintained the minimal level of attentiveness demanded by these "partial automation" systems, as termed by the IIHS, they were prone to partake in activities that diverted their focus.

A study examined the alteration in driving patterns among 29 participants driving a 2017 Volvo S90 outfitted with Pilot Assist over a month. The investigation centered on the frequency of drivers partaking in activities unrelated to driving while utilizing Pilot Assist on highways, compared to their driving without the assistance.

Assistance System for Pilots, featured in the 2017

The research indicated that individuals are prone to engage in distractions such as using their mobile phones, consuming food, or other hands-on tasks while driving with assistive technology. This behavior tended to escalate as drivers became more comfortable with the technology. However, the data also showed that certain drivers were distracted right from the start.

The subsequent research observed the road conduct of 14 participants who operated a 2020 Tesla Model 3 with Autopilot functionality for a duration of one month. For this investigation, the researchers selected individuals who had no prior experience with Autopilot or similar technology, concentrating on the frequency with which the drivers elicited the system's alert signals.

Investigators discovered that beginners using Autopilot swiftly became adept at anticipating the system's alert timing, allowing them to avert more severe measures like sudden deceleration or being barred from the system.

Upcoming 2024 Model from

According to IIHS President David Harvey, drivers in both research projects altered their driving habits to participate in activities that took their attention away from the road. He emphasized that this is a clear indication that systems with partial automation require stronger protections to avoid being used improperly.

Earlier in the year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) referenced alternative statistics to support their stance that driver assistance technologies do not improve safety. The organization has recommended additional safety monitoring within vehicles to counteract any potential decrease in safety. In March 2024, the IIHS finished evaluating 14 different driver-assist features from nine manufacturers. The majority of these systems were deemed too susceptible to incorrect use by drivers. Specifically, Tesla's Autopilot was singled out for giving drivers a false impression of its actual capabilities.

The deficiencies of Tesla's Autopilot system have not gone unnoticed by American safety officials. In a recall initiated in 2023, Tesla was forced to limit the functionalities of its Full Self-Driving Beta feature, which was deemed by authorities as posing a significant hazard to road safety. Nevertheless, Tesla persists in using the deceptive term Full Self-Driving, even though the system does not deliver complete autonomous driving.

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