5 . Tesla’s self-driving cars have recently come under investigation as a report on crashes raises questions about their safety. Despite Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s claim that their Autopilot capability makes their cars “ extremely safer,” data suggests otherwise.
According to The Washington Post, the number of deaths and serious injuries associated with Tesla’s driver-assistance technology is higher than previously reported. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recorded 736 crashes since 2019, with at least 17 of them being fatal. These figures include crashes involving both Autopilot, which allows cars to drive on highways without human intervention(干预), and the newer Full Self-Driving feature, which extends automation to city streets. However, these statistics can’t record incidents that were avoided due to the cars’ safety features. Additionally, when compared to the total number of car crashes that occurred last year, the number of crashes involving driver-assistance vehicles appears relatively small, but actually it’s not.
Tesla’s safety claims lack context as Autopilot is primarily designed for highways, while most accidents occur in more complex environments with cross-traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists. Moreover, Tesla’s customer base consists mainly of wealthier individuals who live in communities with lower accident rates.
Concerns are raised by Tesla’s request to the NHTSA not to reveal whether Autopilot or Full Self-Driving was in use during fatal crashes. This lack of transparency (透明) prevents a comprehensive analysis of the incidents and raises questions about responsibility.
Safety exaggerations combined with Tesla’s aggressive marketing have led to accidents caused by drivers relying too heavily on the system. Full Self-Driving does not allow the car to fully drive itself, and drivers are expected to remain attentive and ready to intervene at all times. However, Tesla’s messaging may mislead some users into believing otherwise.
While a driverless future has the potential to be safer, it is crucial not to convince the public that underdeveloped capabilities are ready for widespread use. Tesla should address past problems, ensure their automation set can detect(检测) emergency vehicles, and be transparent with the public about the limitations of their technology.
1. What can we learn about Tesla’s driver-assistance-related crashes?
| A．736 fatal cases of self-driving are recorded. |
| B．NHTSA focused on the crashes on highways. |
| C．The total number of car crashes is extremely small. |
| D．The incidents avoided are not counted in the crash statistics. |
2. What can be inferred about Tesla’s safety claims?
| A．They are supported by comprehensive data. |
| B．They are based on limited driving environment. |
| C．They are restricted to the experiences of satisfied customers. |
| D．They have been proven to be accurate and reliable by NHTSA． |
3. What can we know about Full Self-Driving?
| A．It is ill-received. | B．It is well-developed. |
| C．It needs the driver to stay focused. | D．It reduces the accidents greatly. |
4. Which title best summarizes the content of this text?
| A．Concerns and Questions Surrounding Tesla’s “Self-Driving” Cars |
| B．Tesla’s Self-Driving Cars: The Safest Option of Driving on the Road |
| C．The Future of Self-Driving Cars: A Closer Look at Tesla’s Technology |
| D．Reconstruction and Revolution of Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving |
