Follow us today...
This past weekend two children ages 8 and 13 were killed while in their seatbelts when a Tesla Model S rear ended their family’s Toyota Corolla. At least one adult was also killed. Two others in the struck vehicle were badly burned. What makes this tragedy newsworthy is that the accident might not have been fatal if the Tesla had come with forward crash prevention technology available on many family cars. Tesla does not offer this safety system, nor does it offer many other commonplace vehicle safety systems.
Tesla Doesn’t Have These Safety Systems
For reasons unknown, Tesla does not use any form of forward crash prevention technology. Price and cost are not factors. The best system of this type tested by the Insurance Institute for Highways Safety (IIHS) is not on an expensive sport-luxury car like the $70K to $130K Tesla, but rather on the very affordable Subaru Outback. IIHS considers the system so important it won’t even consider vehicles without it for their highest safety rating, the Top Safety Pick Plus designation. Thus the Tesla could not even qualify. Many cars costing a third the price of the Model S have earned this rating.
How Forward Crash Prevention Systems Save Lives
Forward crash prevention systems don’t always have to stop a vehicle from hitting another to help. In fact, some are not even designed to entirely prevent an impact. Rather, they are designed to slow the approaching car to lessen the severity of the impact. This allows the cars in the accident to use their passive safety systems, such as crumple zones and seat belts, to full effect.
This Type of Tesla Crash Was Predicted
This report is not a “20-20 hindsight” report. We predicted this might happen. Over the past year Torque News has published multiple stories about the Tesla Model S’ lack of a forward collision prevention system, lack of a lane keeping system, and lack of a driver alert system. The LA Times also raised the issue of Tesla’s lack of crash mitigation technology in the past. In a related story just one month ago, we detailed how aluminum vehicles combined with forward crash prevention technology might save your life in a crash. We carefully explained why the velocity of a vehicle hitting another is much more important that its mass (weight). In a positive way we dove deep into the issue, using the new 2015 Ford F-150 as the example.
Tesla Markets Its Model S as the Safest Car
We wish to point out that Tesla markets the Model S as the world’s safest car. In the past it has highlighted this on its website. Elon Musk, Tesla’s founder and leader, has said that cars can be as safe as the Model S, but not safer. It is true that the Model S does protect its occupants very well. Although it has never been tested by the IIHS, which conducts the US’ most rigorous safety evaluations, it has done very well in the US government’s (NHTSA) testing.
Is keeping the occupant in the Tesla alive the only concern? Of course it is not. In fact, besides the three dead, the two critically injured people in this crash, and their families, the driver of the Model S may be the person who will now suffer the greatest from this possibly preventable tragedy. Police and news reports say that all the people in the Corolla were properly belted. They go on to say that the driver in the Tesla is not suspected of being impaired.
This story, including the issue of safety systems, is not being reported by the mainstream media. Disappointingly, the electric vehicle advocacy media is also ignoring the Tesla safety systems issue, and they do understand it. Some EV fans will read this report and call it more Tesla bashing. Hopefully, some others will read this viewpoint and start asking why a car that costs so much, which is marketed as the safest car available, does so little to prevent avoidable accidents like this one.
Note: In order to keep this story focused on the topic of forward crash prevention and driver alert systems we have opted not to delve into the gruesome details of the crash. Those interested can read the local news report here. We wish to warn you the story is upsetting.
Related Stories:
Three common safety features Tesla Model S must add now
Stolen Tesla Model S crashes and burns in spectacular fashion
Lexus IS outscores rivals on IIHS Front Crash Prevention test
Still Image and video courtesy of Loudlabs News, and Youtube.com
Follow us today...
Comments
I would agree that the brake
Permalink
In reply to "So a Suburban takes 165 feet by Keef Wivanef (not verified)
I would agree that the brake pedal should always override the go pedal. I did a brief test and the car did not move an inch forward with the brake and go peddle pressed using one foot on both pedals like you described. The brake pedal must travel several inches before it is level to the go pedal, which means the brakes are heavily engaged before the go pedal is depressed. If your car does anything different, there should be no problem recreating it at the service center so they can correct any issue. You could also practice on positioning your foot correctly for braking so that it does not touch the go pedal at all. Basketball players with shoe sizes much larger than yours can drive any car without this problem.
Driving a Tesla does not make someone a superior driver, and I admit there are idiot drivers that drive in a Tesla. Some people in gas-engine cars drive with two feet, one on the gas and one on the brake. They do the same thing in a Tesla too. What happens when you put one foot on the gas and one foot on the brake in a gas-engine car? Does the engine disengage? No it does not. The Tesla works the same way. Some people actually do this on purpose, it is called power braking. So why are you trying to bash Tesla if it works the same as every other car on the road with regard to pushing both pedal simultaneously.
If you keep pressure on the
Permalink
In reply to I would agree that the brake by AustinAnthony (not verified)
If you keep pressure on the pedal for more than 10 seconds (as would be the case if you were going down a steep driveway) does the pedal sink lower and maybe all the way to the floor?
That is what owners have reported. They have also said that more than half of the cars in the dealership showed this same fault. Tesla service personnel are alleged to have said that this is normal and nothing to worry about.
This is a problem that can occur in any ABS equipped car if there is air in the ABS components.
The reports (from many users in different countries) suggest that Tesla are ignoring the problem through ignorance or because of the dictatorial regime which Musk has created.
At least one complaint has been made to NHTSB but it seems to have been put down to driver error.
The Tesla supporters shouted loudly that it was all the silly lady dog's own fault.
I post and it doesnt get
Permalink
I post and it doesnt get published.
Archictecture of Model S is superior.
Accessories such as the anti collision system can and very llikely get implemented. That is not rocket science. Tesla made clear plan is to be leader in auto pilot system, which would likely save more lives than this commodity anti collision system that even Subaru and Mazda have.
John saying what if that was a Mazda hitting the corolla. Likely the driver would be dead then.
There is a lag sometimes
Permalink
In reply to I post and it doesnt get by jonas (not verified)
There is a lag sometimes while an editor notices a story to be approved. We filter for language (swears).
This is truly a tragic story.
Permalink
This is truly a tragic story. It's so sad that anyone dies in auto accidents in today's day and age.
I wonder, however, if the same negativity towards Tesla (in this case), would be the same if the vehicle which rear-ended the Toyota was a Dodge, a Ford or any number of other automakers. Forget the braking systems - the Tesla stops and brakes extremely hard, as does several other automobiles. Picking on one automaker is stupid. It's a moot argument. The things that would prevent such a thing from happening - auto-distance sensors, better driving habits and soon - auto-piloting.
The Automakers you name as
Permalink
In reply to This is truly a tragic story. by AJMitch (not verified)
The Automakers you name as counterpoint examples all offer this technology in their much lower priced models. Toyota's Lexus division makes the IS model sedan which was recently rated tops in its category for its forward collision system. That is sort of the point of the story. Only Tesla does not offer this commonplace technology. Further, Tesla frequently makes claims that theirs is the safest car on the road, despite its lack of very common safety technology. - Thanks for your comments AJ. I have written many Ford safety stories including three on the Escape's fire recalls alone. The Toyota unintended acceleration topic was covered for years and continues to be. - With regard to the brake system in the Tesla, I personally have not commented on that. I have no direct knowledge of any Tesla Braking issues at this time.
Braking problems have been
Permalink
In reply to The Automakers you name as by John Goreham
Braking problems have been reported by REGISTERED OWNERS not trolls.
These owners have been attacked by swarms of Tesla fanboys for daring to tarnish the gleaming reputation of the sacred Terdsla and the GREAT LEADER Eloon.
I agree that all these
Permalink
I agree that all these factors are important. Your article isn't wrong, but it is dated. Current production models still don't have most of those features, but they do have sensors in place for reasons Tesla hasn't announced. Lane departure warning is now a standard feature. ACC isn't there, but the stem on the steering column for cruise control has the ACC markings and an additional knob for setting distance. It has the sensors that are of the type and in the location used for blind spot detection, and the use of the front sensor (possibly sonar) as well as the new camera could each or both be used in collision mitigation. The camera currently does things such as read speed limit signs.
I read this article and many others before buying the car and was particularly concerned about braking issues. Since it's impossible to step on the accelerator and the brake pedal at the same time when using them as I was taught, I figured I'd be diligent and be sure not to pivot on the heel of my foot rather than picking it up to step on a pedal. But now that I have the car, I found that it would be impossible for my foot to touch both pedals even if I push the brake with the ball of my foot, and the pedal would remain well above the height of the accelerator anyway. I have no idea if this was a result of an unannounced production change or whether any of these features were added because of these sorts of articles. I'm just glad that they are being added and that all new cars have the hardware for it.
The advantage of the Model S is that it's possible to change the hardware even if the software isn't ready, since software gets updated wirelessly. . It's a shame that there are no plans for offering retrofits.
Thanks Haggy. Good
Permalink
In reply to I agree that all these by Haggy (not verified)
Thanks Haggy. Good perspective. I have no doubt Tesla will leap ahead soon. Congrats on your new MS! If you are not already a member, I highly recommend the Tesla Model S Owner's club on FB. An excellent and passionate group.