In a recent safety demonstration in Texas, a Tesla Model Y operating in Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode failed to stop for a stationary school bus and struck child-sized mannequins. The test was conducted eight times, and each time the vehicle ignored the bus’s flashing lights and stop signs. This alarming result raises fresh concerns about the safety and readiness of Tesla’s autonomous driving technology.
The demonstration was organised by advocacy groups The Dawn Project, Tesla Takedown, and ResistAustin. Video footage showed the Tesla driving past the bus and colliding with the dummies meant to represent children. Despite Tesla’s warnings that Full Self-Driving requires active driver supervision, the system repeatedly failed to respond appropriately in these tests.
Tesla’s FSD software is officially labelled “supervised” and depends on the driver to remain alert and intervene if needed. The company has consistently cautioned users that ignoring these warnings can lead to serious injury or death. However, this recent demonstration casts doubt on the system’s ability to reliably handle critical safety situations.
This is not Tesla’s first controversy regarding its autonomous technology. In April 2024, a Tesla Model S using FSD was involved in a fatal crash in Washington State, killing a motorcyclist. Since then, safety advocates and competitors have closely scrutinised Tesla’s driver-assistance features for potential flaws.
Meanwhile, Tesla plans to launch its new Cybercab — a fully electric and autonomous vehicle — initially scheduled for June 22. Elon Musk recently hinted at a possible delay, stating the company is “being super paranoid about safety” and expects the first Cybercab to reach a customer by June 28.
As autonomous vehicle technology advances, industry experts and the public continue to question whether these systems can safely meet the demands of full self-driving. This latest incident highlights the challenges Tesla and other manufacturers face in proving their technology is ready for real-world roads.