Tesla Autopilot Fails: Car Ends Up on Train Tracks in CaliforniaTesla Autopilot Fails: Car Ends Up on Train Tracks in California A Tesla driver in Woodland, California, narrowly escaped a dangerous situation when their car was driven onto a train track while using the Autopilot feature. The incident highlights the limitations of the technology and the need for drivers to remain attentive. According to the Woodland Police Department, the Tesla driver mistakenly trusted the Autopilot system to navigate the road but ended up on the railroad tracks instead. The department issued a warning urging Tesla drivers to stay vigilant while using the Autopilot feature. Tesla’s Autopilot, despite its name, is currently classified as Level 2 autonomy, which means it requires an attentive driver to monitor the system and intervene when necessary. Despite this limitation, Autopilot has been involved in numerous accidents, including 200 crashes and 29 deaths. While Tesla continues to develop more advanced driver assistance systems, such as Full Self Driving, it’s crucial for drivers to understand that these technologies are still in their early stages and cannot fully replace human control. It is essential for drivers to remain aware of their surroundings, keep both hands on the wheel, and be ready to assume control in the event of any system failure or unexpected situations.
A Tesla driver in California learned the hard way last week not to put too much faith in the company’s Autopilot system after the engineer drove his car directly onto a train track, thinking it was the road.
The incident occurred in Woodland, California, a small town 15 miles outside of Sacramento. In a Facebook post, the Woodland Police Department warned Tesla drivers to “remain vigilant while using Tesla’s Autopilot feature.”
There have been more than 200 crashes and 29 deaths involving Tesla’s Autopilot, but Tesla owners continue to use it. Two months ago, a Tesla in Ohio with the supposedly more advanced Full Self Driving capability came way too close to a speeding train before the driver regained control and crashed into the railroad crossing. That driver said he avoided a similar crash earlier this year.
Whether you’re using Autopilot or Full Self Driving in your Tesla, be aware that both software is currently stuck at Level 2 autonomy. Level 2 means that both Autopilot and FSD require an attentive driver at the helm, with both hands on the wheel, ready to take over if something goes wrong.
