The latest crash involving a Tesla Model X illustrates, once again, how those who use autopilot must be more vigilant than ever.

If there’s one marketing decision that Tesla might have regretted when introducing self-driving technology back in 2014 it might be calling their suite of road monitoring and self-steering technologies autopilot. The name immediately conjures up a false sense of security when the system is engaged. According to our number one source for Tesla drama Electrek on their report earlier yesterday (Mar. 27, 2017) a Tesla Model X owner posted up an accident photo and an account of a crash involving his Tesla Model X that has the rest of the Tesla community downright shook. Check out the photo courtesy of Electrek below.

One glance at the aftermath and you’d be convinced that no one could’ve crawled out of that wreck alive. But according to the owner, it’s because Tesla had the foresight to engineer superior safety in the SUV’s structure that he’s alive today. All the owner suffered was the proverbial stiff neck.

The owner further gives an account of the harrowing crash the took place.

“There was a pickup truck that was out of gas in the right lane (lights were either dim or off, and give the night, was hard to see). A semi was pulling up onto it, saw it, braked and swerved into my middle lane. Autopilot did not disengage, but did the emergency beep about 1 second before impact. I was looking off to the side, and impacted the truck immediately after I heard the beep and looked forward.”

The owner then tries to place the weight of the blame on Tesla for causing him to drive straight in to the semi at full speed.

“The autopilot caused me to drive full speed into the back of a semi, but the amazing safety ratings saved my life.”

If the owner was using autopilot as it was intended at the moment, as an ADAS or an advanced driver assistance system, he would’ve seen the dangerous situation unfold and would’ve taken over.

Autopilot in its current form is only a Level 2 automated system as classified by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. In this level the driver is still “… obliged to detect objects and events and respond if the automated system fails to respond properly.” Once Tesla and the NHTSA gives the all-green for Level 3 autonomy, only then can you reasonably let your attention wander. Even Level 3 autonomy requires you to be paying attention.

Level 4 and 5, a level of automation where a driver can give 100 percent confidence to the vehicle to take control, is years away. Definitely in our lifetime, but still years away. Until then, no matter what vehicle you drive, autopilot or no autopilot, your attention will always be needed.

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