Confused by Train and Traffic Lights Due to Fog... US Tesla Driver Nearly Lost Life

Train and traffic light not recognized on foggy day
Tesla "Active driver intervention still required"

In the United States, a Tesla vehicle driving with the electric car company's Full-Self Driving (FSD) system activated nearly collided with a train after failing to detect railroad tracks and a railroad crossing signal ahead.

Tesla vehicle damaged after collision with a train crossing while Tesla FSD was operating. [Image source=Captured from NBC News YouTube channel]

On the 28th (local time), NBC News reported that a Tesla FSD accident video has recently been spreading online, and the driver featured in the video, Craig Doty, claimed that "there is a problem with Tesla's FSD technology, or at least a defect in the FSD software installed in his vehicle."

The accident video shows a train passing over railroad tracks crossing the road ahead, but the vehicle driving toward it did not slow down and continued at speed, then swerved right just before colliding with the train and hit the railroad crossing barrier. The video has garnered millions of views online.

Doty said the accident occurred on the 8th in Ohio, USA, and at the time, the vehicle was traveling at 60 miles per hour (96 km/h). The police accident report also noted that although it was foggy, the vehicle’s black box recorded the railroad crossing signal flashing red at least five seconds before the accident at the location.

A scene where a Tesla FSD fails to recognize a train crossing from the opposite side, causing the driver to urgently control the vehicle and resulting in an accident.
[Image source=Captured from NBC News YouTube channel]

Regarding the situation, Doty explained, "I was using the FSD system and expected the vehicle to see the railroad crossing signal and stop." He added, "However, the vehicle did not slow down and kept going, so I had to brake suddenly and turn the steering wheel to the side myself." Doty strongly criticized, saying, "I was the only person in the car, so the accident was obviously my fault, but I think the bigger problem is that damn car did not recognize the train."

Tesla stated on its website, "The currently available Autopilot and FSD features require active supervision by the driver and the vehicle does not drive autonomously." Although FSD’s name implies "fully self-driving," it is still a "driver assistance feature" that requires constant driver intervention. However, Tesla said it will continue to improve the feature.