Tesla avoids vehicle recalls after Autopilot system given all-clear over fatal crash

Driver did not look at road for seven seconds before crash

Tesla has avoided a recall of its cars after the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) closed an investigation into a crash in which a driver died.

The incident occurred in May 2016, when a driver, Joshua Brown, hit the back of a tractor trailer. The investigation found the car was in autopilot mode at the time and that no action had been taken by the car or the driver to avoid impact.

However, the investigation also found that the driver should have been able to see the back of the tractor trailer into which he crashed for at least seven seconds before impact.

"The Florida fatal crash appears to have involved a period of extended distraction (at least 7 seconds)."

As such, the NHTSA said it is clear the driver was not paying enough attention to the road while in autopilot mode.

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Despite this, it said manufacturers of cars with self-driving features, including Tesla, need to do more to make customers aware of the fact that autonomous driving does not remove the need to remain alert and engaged with the road ahead.

"Although perhaps not as specific as it could be, Tesla has provided information about system limitations in the owner's manuals, user interface and associated warnings/alerts, as well as a driver monitoring system that is intended to aid the driver in remaining engaged in the driving task at all times," it said.

"Drivers should read all instructions and warnings provided in owner's manuals for ADAS technologies and be aware of system limitations."

Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk welcomed the report, saying it was "very positive" in a message on Twitter.

He also noted that the report cited the fact that the the introduction of its Autosteer feature has reduced accidents from previous models by as much as 40 per cent.