A recent incident involving a Tesla Cybertruck owner has shed light on the life-saving potential of the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. According to a report from CBS Austin, Clifford Lee narrowly avoided a head-on collision thanks to the quick intervention of Tesla’s FSD technology.
The harrowing event took place on a two-lane stretch of Highway 54 in New Mexico, where Lee was traveling at 75 mph with FSD engaged. Suddenly, an oncoming pickup truck veered into his lane, leaving only seconds to react. FSD kicked in at the last moment, steering the Cybertruck towards a narrow opening near the guardrail. While the oncoming pickup clipped the side mirror, a full collision was avoided, and Lee emerged unscathed.
Reflecting on the incident, Lee expressed gratitude for the FSD system, acknowledging that it likely saved his life. He described feeling shaken and uncontrollable trembling immediately after the close call.
Despite ongoing regulatory scrutiny and legal challenges surrounding Tesla’s FSD system, this real-world scenario showcases a successful application of the technology. It is important to note that FSD is classified as a Level 2 system, requiring drivers to remain attentive and ready to take control at all times.
Tesla has recently implemented changes to make FSD more user-friendly, such as defaulting new drivers to a slower “Sloth Mode” speed profile. The company has also offered free trials for Hardware 4 (HW4) owners and frequent software updates, with some versions even allowing drivers to text behind the wheel under certain conditions.
The Cybertruck recently gained access to the full suite of FSD features with the rollout of FSD v14 in November. Additionally, Tesla is testing “unsupervised” FSD with its Robotaxi fleet in Austin, Texas, showcasing the company’s vision for the technology’s future.
While safety concerns persist among critics, incidents like this serve as a reminder of the potential life-saving capabilities of advanced driver-assistance systems. In situations where split-second decisions can make all the difference, FSD technology proves its worth in protecting drivers on the road.