TO THE EDITOR:
Regarding "Tesla touts safeguards; senator wants 'Autopilot' rebranded," autonews.com, Jan. 24: Even the people that use this feature as directed must agree that the risk to public safety by allowing this technology to exceed its recommended abilities by even a few bad actors is dangerous and even deadly.
Sensible people that like Autopilot or don't must agree there must be regulated testing for the New Car Assessment Program ratings to set conditions of use and speed limits for use, as well as when the technology can be turned on and when it will be turned off. Only NHTSA certified tests will ensure these systems are used as approved.
This will also lead to using definitive names for each individual and combination of technologies, which will help to inspire new innovations for increased safety at high speeds.
DAVID DeVEAU, Owner, DeVco Design & Development, Westfield, Mass. The writer is an independent transportation safety advocate. DeVco Design & Development is an engineering consultancy.
