Tesla Model 3 Driver Thinks Autopilot Could' ve Prevented His Nasty Crash CarBuzz News Features New Cars Used Cars Sell My Car Shopping Tools Car Reviews Car Finder Compare Cars Best Cars Car Dealerships Used Car Reviews Car Advice Home News Tesla Model 3 Driver Thinks Autopilot Could' ve Prevented His Nasty Crash
Tesla Model 3 Driver Thinks Autopilot Could' ve Prevented His Nasty Crash
May. 28, 2020 12:25 PM ET by Karl Furlong Crash / 19 Comments The driver regrets that Autopilot wasn't switched on when he careened into a tree. Tesla's Autopilot suite has been praised and criticized in equal measure. On the one hand, it's hard not to marvel at a piece of technology that automatically stops your car for you as it approaches a red traffic light. But Autopilot has also attracted its fair share of controversy, especially after a fatal accident involving an inattentive Tesla Model X driver a few years ago. Now, another Tesla owner, this time a driver of a Model 3, was involved in an accident. But rather than blame Autopilot, this driver claims that if his vehicle's Autopilot had been switched on, he probably would have avoided crashing straight into a tree that totally wrecked the front of the Model 3. https://twitter.com/martingrefte/status/1264255801276891137 Martin Grefte via Twitter Martin Grefte via Twitter The driver's name was Martin Grefte and he explained the reason for his crash in a series of tweets. Basically, he had just received a message that his sister-in-law was "taken into IC" (intensive care) due to having the coronavirus. It's the type of message that would leave any of us shocked and upset. Distracted by the news, Grefte drifted off the highway and crashed into a tree at around 45 mph. Although the Model 3's hood and front-end were destroyed, the passenger compartment remained perfectly intact, so Grefte was able to escape with little more than a few scratches. Later, he tweeted to say: "Had I been on autopilot, I am sure it would not have happened." Martin Grefte via Twitter Martin Grefte via Twitter He further explained that when you exit a highway, Autopilot automatically switches off. He usually puts it back on, but on this occasion, he failed to do so. "In this case, [I'm] sure Autopilot certainly would have been better than human pilot and would have avoided the crash," he quipped. While Grefte must be relieved to escape without serious injury, the accident makes a strong case for the Model 3's solid safety cell. The driver's experience with Autopilot also indicates that some owners do have faith in the system's ability to avoid a potential collision, although the most reliable means of staying safe is to remain attentive at all times. A few commenters on Twitter tweeted Elon Musk, suggesting that Autopilot should take over if it senses a crash, even if it has been switched off - it's not a bad point. What did Grefte do the very next day after the accident? He went out and bought a new Model 3. Tesla Tesla Tesla Tesla Join The Discussion
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Tesla Model 3 Karl Furlong Senior Editor Sweaty-palmed hot laps are fun, but Karl is a gearhead cut from a different cloth - or is that finely stitched Nappa leather? An E23 BMW 7 Series was the first car he fell madly in love with three decades ago, and this affection for Autobahn-conquering luxury sedans has persisted. Following studies in copywriting and journalism, along with stints in TV scriptwriting and marketing that had far too little to do with cars, Karl kept the fire burning by writing for automotive websites on the side, including a Florida-based auto repair shop and another for Porsche enthusiasts. It all came together when he joined CarBuzz in 2019. He has penned some of the latest news, reviews, and features ever since. Contact Karl @FuelAffection LoginSign Up Home News Features Car Reviews Car Advice 2021 CarBuzz Awards New Cars Used Cars Future Cars Compare Cars Sell My Car Car Dealerships Buy Here Pay Here Used Car Reviews Popular Tags Cars # Video # TOP # Spy Shots # Reveal # Rumor # Auto Show # Supercar # Tuning # Car Culture # Industry News # Motorsport Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Make Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Car Type SUVs Crossovers Sedans Coupes Trucks Sports Cars Wagons Vans Hatchbacks Convertibles Small Cars Luxury Cars Electric Cars Hybrid Cars Future Cars By Price Up to $15K $15K - $25K $25K - $35K $35K - $45K $45K - $55K $55K - $75K $75K - $100K $100K - $200K $200K - $300K Above $300K Back To Top