The driver behind the wheel of the Tesla was warned more than 150 times
WSJ
A violent crash involving a Tesla Model X, which injured five police officers and another individual, should've never happened for a number of reasons, including the 150 warnings issued by the car's Autopilot system to the allegedly intoxicated driver. Despite these multiple alerts to take control of the vehicle, the crash still occurred. This incident has put driver responsibility, technological oversight, and how automated driving systems impact road safety in the spotlight.
The Incident Detail
The incident took place on February 27, 2021, in Montgomery County, Texas, where a 2019 Tesla Model X struck a police vehicle at 54 mph while the Autopilot system was engaged. The Wall Street Journal investigation, which obtained video footage from the car, revealed that the driver received 150 warnings over a 34-minute time span.
In the critical moments before the crash, Autopilot detected the police car 37 yards away, or 2.5 seconds before impact. It initially tried to stop and disengaged, expecting an alert driver to take over. Unfortunately, the collision was unavoidable at that point.
Footage of Accident
Autopilot's Function and Driver Responsibility
Tesla's Autopilot system, programmed to handle many driving tasks, expects the driver to stay alert and ready to take over. Looking for subtle torque forces on the steering wheel, it can check whether the driver's hands are where they should be.
The incident raised serious concerns over how effectively the Autopilot system monitors the driver's attentiveness. Though the system warned the driver 150 times, the driver could apply just enough torque to keep Autopilot engaged.
Tesla asserts that the fault lies with the driver, pointing out that the system worked as designed. However, critics argue that 150 warnings within a half-hour signal a clear failure in driver monitoring. This incident prompts questions about whether the vehicle should have a mechanism to pull over if the driver is unresponsive.
Legal Implications
The injured officers are suing Tesla for damages, alleging that Tesla has not adequately addressed issues with the Autopilot system. The incident has also become part of a broader investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into similar crashes.
Tesla has since updated its Autopilot software, including internal cameras in newer models to detect driver alertness. But the debate continues about how automated systems and human drivers should interact to prevent accidents like this.
The crash underscores the complexity and urgency of the questions surrounding automated driving systems. While advancements like Tesla's Autopilot are undoubtedly transforming the driving experience, they are also revealing new challenges that society must address.
As technology continues to evolve, clear guidelines, robust monitoring systems, and a shared understanding of human and machine responsibilities must be developed. The incident serves as a sobering reminder that technology, no matter how advanced, can be impacted by human error.
In the latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, Tesla’s VP of Vehicle Engineering, Lars Moravy, confirmed that the new Model Y will feature adaptive headlights.
As Moravy was talking about the updated headlights in the vehicle, which now sit a few inches lower than before, he stated that in a couple of months, Tesla will add adaptive headlights in the U.S.
While Tesla has already introduced adaptive headlights in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, the feature has yet to make its way to North America.
Originally delayed in the U.S. due to regulatory issues, manufacturers have been able to implement adaptive headlights since mid-2024. Meanwhile, competitors like Rivian and Mercedes-Benz have already rolled out their own full matrix headlight systems, matching what’s available in other regions.
Update: This article has been updated to clarify that adaptive headlights will indeed be launched in the U.S., shortly after the vehicle launching in March.
Currently, Tesla in North America supports adaptive high beams and automatic headlight adjustment for curves, but full matrix functionality has yet to be rolled out. Meanwhile, matrix headlights are already available in Europe, where they selectively dim individual beam pixels to reduce glare for oncoming traffic and adapt to curves in the road.
It was surprising that matrix functionality wasn’t included in the comprehensive 2024 Tesla Holiday Update. This feature would likely improve safety ratings, so we can only assume Tesla is diligently working to secure regulatory approval.
Adaptive Headlights on Other Models
Lars didn’t confirm whether the refreshed Model Y comes with the same headlights as the new Model 3 and the Cybertruck, instead simply calling them "matrix-style” headlights.
The headlights on the new Model Y appear very similar to those available in the 2024+ Model 3, possibly meaning these other models will also receive adaptive headlight capabilities in the next couple of months.
For vehicles with older-style matrix headlights, it’s unlikely that adaptive beams support will launch at the same time, but they will hopefully become available soon afterward.
For the first time since launching Tesla Insurance in 2019, Tesla will begin underwriting its own policies, starting in California.
Tesla Insurance originally debuted in California and has since expanded to several U.S. states. Until now, policies were underwritten by State National, a subsidiary of the Markel Insurance Group. However, Tesla is now transitioning to fully in-house underwriting, beginning with its home state.
As part of this shift, California Tesla Insurance customers who receive an in-app offer to switch will be eligible for a one-time 3% discount on their next term’s premium—covered entirely by Tesla Insurance.
What is Underwriting
Underwriting is the process an insurance company uses to assess risk and determine whether to offer coverage, at what price, and under what terms.
Insurers evaluate factors such as driving history, credit score, age, vehicle type, and location. In Tesla’s case, vehicle driving data (not available in California) also plays a key role in risk assessment. These factors help classify drivers into risk categories, which influence their base premium.
From there, coverage limits, deductibles, and policy inclusions or exclusions can further adjust the final premium up or down.
Robotaxi and Other Benefits
At first glance, underwriting insurance might seem like a complex and costly process for Tesla. However, there are several compelling reasons why this move makes sense.
Insurance Income: Insurance is a highly profitable industry. Companies set rates based on risk, offering lower premiums to safer drivers and higher rates to riskier ones. This not only maximizes profitability but also incentivizes safer driving behavior, reducing overall claims.
Data Advantage: Tesla collects vast amounts of driving data through its Safety Score system. While California doesn’t allow Safety Score to impact premiums, Tesla can still use this data in the underwriting process to refine risk assessments and pricing for its vehicles.
Control Over Repair Costs: By underwriting its own policies, Tesla gains direct control over repairs and total loss decisions. This allows them to dictate when, where, and how repairs are done, optimizing costs for parts, labor, and service while ensuring vehicles are fixed according to Tesla’s standards.
FSD-Driven Discounts: Tesla has already begun offering insurance discounts for drivers using Full Self-Driving (FSD). By underwriting its own policies, Tesla could expand these incentives, potentially offering greater discounts to frequent FSD users in the future.
Preparing for Robotaxi: Perhaps the biggest long-term reason for this shift is the June launch of the Robotaxi fleet. How will Tesla insure these vehicles? The answer is simple—by underwriting its own policies and assuming liability.
Tesla’s decision to underwrite its own insurance isn’t just about cutting out middlemen—it’s a step toward lowering costs, increasing profitability, and preparing for the future of autonomous driving, a risk many insurance companies may be unwilling to make.
Further Expansion
This could be a strong sign that Tesla is preparing to expand its insurance offerings now that it has taken on the underwriting process itself. In July 2024, Tesla hired a former GEICO insurance executive to lead the expansion of Tesla Insurance and help reduce costs—a move that now appears to be paying off.
Rather than a traditional expansion, Tesla has instead made a bold move by bringing underwriting in-house, something few expected. However, it aligns with Tesla’s strategy of vertically integrating and controlling key aspects of its business, whether in manufacturing, software, or now, insurance.
If this pilot program proves successful, it could pave the way for Tesla Insurance to launch in more states—and potentially even other countries. With 2025 shaping up to be a pivotal year, we may see Tesla accelerate its insurance expansion sooner than expected.
![Tesla Confirms Update Issue for FSD V13.2.2; Fix Coming [Fix Going Out]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/model-x/0x0-model-x_08.jpg/de69f97cdda59bc7b0793fa7da98bd64/0x0-model-x_08.jpg)
![Tesla’s Giga Berlin Artwork: Where Creativity Meets Autonomy [VIDEO]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/2025/giga_berlin_art_tobias.jpg/074b092609d4477c5cafb71e90dbaf57/giga_berlin_art_tobias.jpg)
