Telsa is not the first car brand to include a self-driving mode in its vehicles, but it has become one of the most well-known companies for it. Despite its success, there are still incidents linked to the automated feature, and from now on, customers need an extra step before completing a delivery.
FSD Demo from Tesla Employees
Tesla CEO Elon Musk sent out an email to employees stating that they are now required to demonstrate to customers how to use the Full Self-Driving function for its vehicles, which will serve as a final step for North American customers before finishing delivery.
In the email, it says that it is mandatory to install and activate FSD V12.3.1, as well as take customers on a short test ride before handing over the car. "I know this will slow down the delivery process, but it is nonetheless a hard requirement," says the tech executive.
The Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature is different from the Autopilot mode, as the former is Tesla's premium driver assistance system. While Autopilot is both a standard and free option, the FSD costs $199 per month for most customers in North America, according to CNBC.
In another memo sent to employees, the company is asking both salaried and hourly workers to sign up for additional shifts for delivering vehicles in the final days of the first quarter, although the pay for the mentioned employees will vary.
Salaried employees will not receive compensation should they sign up for the delivery shifts, while hourly employees with be paid for the extra hours. Even with a steady production capacity, Tesla says it needs support to move, prepare, and drive the vehicles to customers.
The demonstration could be an important step in reducing FSD-related accidents, wherein drivers lose control of the car for not paying attention. Some ignore or miss the part of the manual stating that even in FSD mode, drivers are required to be attentive and ready to take over.
Furthermore, owners with FSD can get access to the FSD Beta system. The program will allow customers to contribute to testing and debugging the assistance feature on public roads, which is crucial to the advancement of the feature.
Tesla Drivers' Accident Rate
Tesla is already being watched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration due to the accidents that have been linked to its assistive driving systems such as the Autopilot and the FSD functions. In fact, Tesla has the highest accident rate among other car brands.
According to Electrek, Tesla is ranked first in the brands with the most accidents at 23.54 per 1,000 drivers in 2023. This goes against the company's claims that the Autopilot safety features lead to a much lower crash rate than average within the industry.
Tesla has since stopped releasing safety reports regarding assistive driving, making it harder to analyze the actual statistics that determine the safety of the feature. The report used to track miles between accidents based on the bele of Autopilot used.
