NTSB Criticizes Apple After Fatal Tesla Autopilot Crash for Not Banning Employee Smartphone Use While Driving

[MacRumors]

The United States National Transportation Safety Board today conducted a hearing dissecting the fatal 2018 crash of Apple engineer Walter Huang, who was using the autopilot feature of a Tesla Model X, reports CNBC.

The NTSB called Tesla's Autosteer feature "completely inadequate" and said that Tesla's forward collision warning system did not provide an alert, nor did the automatic emergency braking system activate, but the board also had some choice words for Apple.

At the time of the crash, Huang was playing a game on his company-issued development iPhone. He was not paying attention to the road and likely did not have his hands on the steering wheel as the Tesla was in Autopilot mode.

So first let me say, if you own a car with partial automation, you do not own a self-driving car. Don't pretend that you do. This means that when driving in the supposed "self-driving" mode: you can't sleep; you can't read a book; you can't watch a movie or TV show; you can't text; and, you can't play video games. And, that is precisely what we found in this crash - the driver was playing a video game on his smartphone when his car veered into the median barrier.

In a statement, NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt criticized Apple for not having a policy that prevents employees from using their iPhones while driving.

Let me circle back to the issue of driver distraction - one that involves the role of employers. Employers have a critical role in fighting distracted driving. At the NTSB, we believe in leading by example. Over a decade ago, under the leadership of my former colleague and NTSB chairman, Debbie Hersman, NTSB implemented a broad-reaching policy which bans using Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) while driving. We know that such policies save lives.

The driver in this crash was employed by Apple - a tech leader. But when it comes to recognizing the need for a company PED policy, Apple is lagging because they don't have such a policy.

During the hearing, the NTSB said [PDF] that employers play an important role in preventing distracted driving. A strong policy is an effective strategy for cutting down on distracted driving, and Apple has no policy that prohibits cell phone use while driving.

Apple in a response provided to CNBC, said "We expect our employees to follow the law." In California, where the crash took place, there are distracted driving laws that prohibit the use of cell phones while driving, even in vehicles with an autopilot mode.

Apple has also implemented a Do Not Disturb While Driving feature that activates when a driver attempts to use a cellular phone while driving, though it can be disabled.

The NTSB's goal is to get all employers to implement and enforce policies that ban the use of personal electronic devices while driving.

Article Link: NTSB Criticizes Apple After Fatal Tesla Autopilot Crash for Not Banning Employee Smartphone Use While Driving

 

[Mansu944]

Do I want my employer "protecting" me from everything? I work 10hrs a day...that is enough of them telling me what to do.

 

[NightFox]

Can't help thinking that if it's the law, there's no need for a company policy on it. Are companies going to start being criticised for not having policies preventing employees from armed robbery and murdering people?

 

[Rudy69]

It has nothing to do with the employer. The individual in question was the one possibly breaking the law (distracted driving, if that applies where the accident took place).

Should my employer have a policy on driving over the speed limit? Food delivery places would like a word with you lol

 

[jimbobb24]

Thats a new low in being ridiculous. My company doesn't have a policy that I don't jump off cliffs, but I don't because I am an adult that doesn't want to die. Why would Apple have such a policy? Should they have a helmet with motorcycle policy? A don't drink don't drive policy? Companies are jobs, not our moms.

 

[jclardy]

I don’t see how a company policy would have changed anything...texting and driving is illegal in my state, and yet I drive past multiple people everyday tapping away on their phones while traveling 80mph.

 

[Freida]

Next time: The victim was eating sandwich - lets blame the sandwich makers!

For real? I mean if you are stupid enough to take your eyes off and don't pay attention (especially when you work for tech company so you probably know its far from perfect) then you shouldn't be surprised to crash.
In this case, the punishment was the ultimate one.

Is it really needed to be said that if you drive a car then you are responsible for that car? Or are people really that naive to think that the car will drive itself despite Tesla saying you need to pay attention.
How much handholding do you really need? Is common sense really gone these days?

 

[rezenclowd3]

Oh you want a nanny state do you with helicopter employers? Give me right to break the law...of course with consequences.

 

[ksec]

Criticizes Apple....... In a Tesla Car Crashed by Autopilot....

 

[bchery21]

This is crazy. Even if Apple had a policy that wouldn't have stopped the driver to use his phone if he wanted to.

 

[ersan191]

What an utter load of crap - does Apple need to make it company policy not to rob and murder people too???

Using your phone while driving is illegal, it’s not Apple’s job to tell it’s employees not to do illegal things - that literally goes without saying.

Apple’s one line response to this is perfect.

 

[MrUNIMOG]

That's why I always found it irresponsible of Tesla to call their driving assistance system "Autopilot", when it really wasn't that much more capable than the driving assistance systems other manufacturers have to offer, which aren't advertised in such a dangerously misleading way.

People need to understand that Teslas are not autonomous cars.
They're level 2 automation still and getting closer to level 3, just like everyone else.

 

[Coconut Bean]

Wait what? Wtf? Why would Apple be banning there employees for that. Should Apple be banning dui, murder, theft etc their employees as well?

 

[TonyC28]

Unless I'm missing something this is a totally inappropriate shot from the NTSB. Doesn't California already have a law regarding the use of a cell phone while driving?

 

[BlueKhufu]

That’s what laws are for. And penalties for breaking laws exist because we know people won’t follow laws all the time. It’s not a company’s place to recodify every law into company policy, that’s asinine. Driving a company vehicle? Sure. Driving while on company business? Sure. I guess it’s apples fault if an employee murders someone on their day off... “wasn’t against policy....”

 

[kyleh22]

It is all too easy to become distracted by your phone. We have all been guilty of it at some point. That said this is not Tesla's fault or Apple's fault. While i'm extremely sorry someone lost their life, the person should have been paying attention to the road.

 

[benshive]

During the hearing, the NTSB said that employers play an important role in preventing distracted driving.

Do they? I usually just keep my eyes on the road.

 

[cknibbs]

A statement like this just encourages people to disregard everything the NTSB says. It’s not an employers responsibility to prevent a employee from breaking the law. That’s what the laws are for. My word this is ridiculous.

 

[cmaier]

Is this a joke? Blaming Apple because Teslas don't have attention detection and are marketed as "autopilot" when they are not that?

I own both a tesla and lots of apple devices, and I can't believe the premise of this complaint.

 

[BeefCake 15]

What was the NTSB's goal from that statement, gain free publicity by including Apple in the discussion or getting an employee fired by making a car accident a national news headline?

 

[DoctorApple]

Wow the attacked came out of nowhere. How is this an Apple issue? If they criticize Apple, they should be fair and do the same for other companies.

 

[WilliamG]

Criticizes Apple....... In a Tesla Car Crashed by Autopilot....

Criticizes Tesla.... in a car which tells you each and EVERY time you enable AutoPilot to keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road and be prepared to take over at any moment.

The blame is solely on the driver, based on the information provided.

 

[cmaier]

If the dude worked at McDonalds would they criticize McDonalds?

Of course not.

This is some weird **** right here.

 

[xxray]

So it's Apple's fault someone decided to break the law by using a phone while driving?

 

[Offensive]

Personal responsibility?? Who?