Kashmir HillJan 12, 2023
I just do not understand how "beta" self-driving features are allowed to be released on public highways and roads. There are so many other drivers on the road who have NOT opted into the beta test but who are forced to take part. This footage from the Tesla pile-up that happened on the Bay Bridge in San Francisco/Oakland the day that the "Tesla Full Self-Driving Beta" was launched is maddening: https://theintercept.com/2023/01/10/tesla-crash-footage-autopilot/
Exclusive: Surveillance Footage of Tesla Crash on SF’s Bay Bridge Hours After Elon Musk Announces “Self-Driving” Feature

Elon Musk has said Tesla’s problematic autopilot features are “really the difference between Tesla being worth a lot of money or worth basically zero.”

The Intercept
Show thread@[email protected]Jan 12, 2023
@kashhill As the driver of a car with a different Level-2 system, the thing I monitor the most when the system is engaged is the possibility of an event or change causing my car to decelerate rapidly for no actual reason. A common case for me happens when I follow a car that turns off, my car still tends to slow down aggressively even after the other car is not in my path any longer. The Bay Bridge crash feels like a very similar situation to me.
Show threadDon Cruse
@jbqueru 100%. On the highway, I spend most of my time making sure no one is tailgating behind me. Because a hard shadow or misunderstood speed limit sign (like here?!) can cause my car to decelerate and surprise other drivers. @kashhill
Jan 12, 2023 at 7:17pmWeb
Show threadM.S. Bellows, Jr.Jan 14, 2023
@doncruse @jbqueru @kashhill And the law doesn't place sufficient responsibility on drivers to avoid slowing unexpectedly; the duty is on the following driver to stop on time, which made sense when roads were mostly empty, but not when efficient mass movement requires cars to work closely like train cars.