Auto Express

Tesla crash trial in California revolves around ‘human vs machine’ question


Critics say Tesla and Autopilot’s claims contribute to crashes – and deaths – by distracting drivers.

Via :
Reuters

|
Update on:
November 2, 2022, 12:35 pm

File photo of Tesla electric car in a parking lot.  (Bloomberg)
File photo of Tesla electric car in a parking lot. (Bloomberg)

A manslaughter trial will begin in Los Angeles over a fatal crash caused by a Tesla operating on Autopilot, legal experts say.

The trial, scheduled to begin November 15, comes as civil cases will be heard next year over crashes involving Tesla’s Autopilot and adds to the investigation. oversees a system that Tesla co-founder Elon Musk has touted as a step toward fully autonomous driving.

Critics say Tesla and Autopilot’s claims contributed to accidents – and deaths – by distracting drivers.

The US Justice Department is investigating whether Tesla itself faces criminal charges over its self-driving claims, Reuters reported.

The trial in Los Angeles could shape public perception – and future juries – of Tesla, and could be a test case for whether the technology advances, legal experts say. faster than legal standards.

“Who is to blame, man or machine?” Edward Walters, an assistant professor at Georgetown University law school, who specializes in the law governing self-driving cars. portions of the mission are being handled by Tesla. “

After midnight on December 29, 2019, Kevin George Aziz Riad, 28, got off the highway in Gardena, California, in a Tesla Model S, ran a red light and crashed into a Honda Civic, police said. . The driver and passenger in the Civic, Gilberto Lopez and Maria Guadalupe Nieves-Lopez, died at the scene. They went on their first date, relatives told the Orange County Register.

The car’s Autopilot system, which can control speed, braking and steering, was in use at the time of the crash.

Tesla does not face charges in the case and legal experts say the penalty for a company is very high.

Tesla did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment. Tesla says on its website that its driver assistance system “requires active supervision by the driver and does not make the vehicle autonomous.”

Gilberto Lopez’s family is suing Tesla with a trial scheduled for July.

“I can’t say that the driver is not at fault, but the Tesla system, Autopilot, and a Tesla spokesperson encourage drivers to be less attentive,” said Donald Slavik, a lawyer for the company who is representing the family. Lopez family in the Tesla lawsuit, said. Reuters.

Slavik said Tesla understood the risks of its system but failed to manage those risks. “Tesla knows people will use Autopilot and use it in dangerous situations,” he said.

In September, Musk said he believes Tesla has a “moral obligation” to roll out what he calls “Full Self-Driving” software, even if it’s not perfect, and Tesla has been sued for doing so. That can save many lives.

Prosecutors argued that Riad’s speeding and failure to brake was a reckless act. His lawyer, Arthur Barens, said in May that Riad should not be charged. Both declined to comment further.

Robert Blecker, a professor of criminal law at New York Law School, said the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into Tesla’s claims could make it more difficult for California prosecutors at trial.

“The DOJ investigation helps him because his statement would be ‘I rely on their ads. So I’m not aware of the risk there,'” Blecker said.

Bryant Walker Smith, a law professor at the University of South Carolina and an advisor on new transportation technologies, said Tesla’s legal and regulatory oversight could shape perceptions of the company, a the risk that the company can defend itself in upcoming lawsuits. .

“The story of Tesla potentially moving from an innovative tech company that’s doing interesting things to one that’s just in legal trouble. That’s risky and the story is important in civil lawsuits because both sides tell a story to the jury,” he said.

First published date: November 2, 2022, 12:35 PM IST

news7f

News7F: Update the world's latest breaking news online of the day, breaking news, politics, society today, international mainstream news .Updated news 24/7: Entertainment, Sports...at the World everyday world. Hot news, images, video clips that are updated quickly and reliably

Related Articles

Back to top button