Tesla Model X Crashes in Montana, Driver Reportedly Blames Autopilot
SUV suffered major damage, but occupants are OK
Following the deadly Model S crash in Florida and a Model X crash in Pennsylvania, Tesla now has another PR mess on its hands. According to a new report, a Tesla Model X crashed in Montana on Saturday night, and the driver is blaming Autopilot for the incident.
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The SUV was traveling in Autopilot mode between 56 and 60 mph, a friend of the driver wrote on the Tesla Motors Club forum. According to the friend, the vehicle drove off the road and hit a guardrail. "I questioned him [the driver] on how can Autopilot drove off the road by itself, he said he also wants to find out."
Pictures of the crash, posted onElectrek, reveal major damage to the front passenger side of the Model X. Fortunately, both people who were in the car at the time are reportedly doing fine. It looks like the road the Model X was driving on did not have a center divider.
It's unclear whether Autopilot played any role in this accident. The same is true for another Model X crash that occurred recently on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. In that accident, the SUV was traveling east on the highway, hit a guardrail on the right side, and rolled over on its roof. Both occupants also survived that crash.
Since releasing its 7.1 software update, Tesla restricted the use of Autosteer on roads without a center divider, limiting speeds to the speed limit of the road plus an extra 5 mph. Tesla says drivers should keep their hands on the steering wheel while using Autopilot. The automaker recently revealed another software update that adds functions to Autopilot.
It's unclear what exactly caused the accident. When asked for comment on the crash and if Autopilot was activated, Tesla told us, "We're looking into it."
Source: Electrek
When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
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