Tesla driver charged with manslaughter in fatal Texas crash
A driver faces charges following a crash involving a Tesla that resulted in a woman's death. The incident is under investigation by federal authorities. (sources: engadget, nbcnews, theguardian, theverge, nytimes)
A driver has been charged with manslaughter after a Tesla crashed into a home in Texas, killing a woman inside. The vehicle was reportedly in self-driving mode at the time of the incident.
- The crash occurred in June and resulted in the death of a 76-year-old woman.
- The driver, Michael Butler, allegedly disabled the car's self-driving mode before the crash.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating the incident.
Why it matters
This case raises questions about the safety and regulation of autonomous driving technology.
↓ Congress can act on this
4 bills on this issue are moving right now — and the most active one is HR7377: Know Before You Drive Act.
HR7377 · 119th Congress
Know Before You Drive Act
Where do you stand on this bill?
Takes about 60 seconds
About this bill
What HR7377 actually does
This story is about Man charged with manslaughter in Texas Tesla crash. This bill would ban marketing that makes a partially automated system seem like full self-driving.
If passed, it would:
- Ban marketing that makes a partially automated system seem like full self-driving • Require sale-time and update notices explaining capabilities, limits.
3 other bills moving on this issue
Take action on any of them individually.
This story is about Man charged with manslaughter in Texas Tesla crash. This bill would require NHTSA guidelines on ADAS calibration, modification tolerances, and post-repair validation.
If passed, it would
- Require NHTSA guidelines on ADAS calibration, modification tolerances, and post-repair validation • Give owners and repair shops better information to verify that ADAS still works after repair or customization.
This story is about Man charged with manslaughter in Texas Tesla crash. This bill would make those reports public in machine-readable form.
If passed, it would
- Require monthly NHTSA reporting on miles traveled, injury crashes, and unplanned stoppages involving ADS or Level 2 • Make those reports public in machine-readable form.
This story is about Man charged with manslaughter in Texas Tesla crash. This bill would restrict driving automation systems to their safe operational design domains.
If passed, it would
- Restrict driving automation systems to their safe operational design domains • Strengthen federal law around safe-domain use of driving automation systems.
Top coverage · 3 sources