Tesla Critics Put A Harsh Spotlight On FSD In Super Bowl 2023 Commercial – SlashGear

The Dawn Project’s ad opens with the claim that “Tesla Full Self-Driving will run down a child in a school crosswalk.” As this is being said, a child-sized mannequin in full costume is slowly dragged onto a crosswalk before a Tesla bursts into the shot and absolutely clatters it. Remember, this is just the beginning. We’re then told a Tesla “can swerve into oncoming traffic” when left to its own devices, “hit a baby in a stroller,” “go straight past stopped school buses,” “ignore Do Not Enter signs,” and “drive on the wrong side of the road.” All of these are illustrated with footage shot from over a driver’s shoulder, and the potential child in danger is illustrated by an empty stroller being hit this time.

We’re then treated to another, slightly larger, child-sized mannequin getting sent to fiberglass heaven as Tesla’s marketing is described as deceptive, and its engineering is called “woefully inept.” This second pretend child’s head also flies off. The narrator then claims 90% of the public agrees Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system should be banned (without citing a source), and questions why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration allows it — even though it’s more of a Congress-level, or at least state government-level, issue. 

At least 41 states and D.C. have “considered legislation related to autonomous vehicles,” while 29 states and D.C. have all enacted some type of legislation. As silly as the ad seems, Teslas left to their own devices do cause accidents — which is probably why the car will disable and lock the self-driving feature if you leave your hands off the wheel for an extended period.