--- title: "Tesla Model X Driver Says Autopilot ‘Wouldn’t Let Him Take Control’ Before Crashing" description: "Tesla responded at the driver's claim, saying that the brakes have an independent bypass circuit and the electric steering can be easily overpowered." date: "2019-02-12" modified: "2019-02-12" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/26471/tesla-model-x-driver-says-autopilot-wouldnt-let-him-take-control-before-crashing" categories: - "Car Tech" - "Electric Vehicles" - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Self-Driving Tech" - "Tesla News" tags: - "Autopilot" - "Crash" - "Electric Vehicle" - "luxury" - "model x" - "New Jersey" - "suv/crossover" - "Tesla" - "Tesla Model X" --- # Tesla Model X Driver Says Autopilot ‘Wouldn’t Let Him Take Control’ Before Crashing ![]() *\www.thedrive.com* A New Jersey man claims that his Tesla Model X forced him into a crash when the Autopilot system wouldn't allow him to take control of his own vehicle. The SUV ultimately veered off the road along Route 1 in North Brunswick and crashed into several road signs and bushes, according to [*ABC7 NY.*]() It's unclear what originally caused Eric Carters and his Model X to reach the point of no return, but the original report claims that various road markings and lane changes could've confused the Autopilot camera and sensors, guiding the car in a different course than desired. However, that still wouldn't explain Carter's claim that when he tried to regain control of the moving vehicle, the car "would not let him." "I was able to slightly correct the turn and avoid hitting a road sign head-on \[at last minute\]," Carters told the [*Gothamist*](). Carters was eventually able to regain control of the Model X (if it was ever taken away) and the vehicle eventually came to a full stop in a mud puddle next to the highway, leaving bits of Tesla and other debris scattered along its trajectory. Carters did not suffer any injuries and no other drivers or vehicles were involved. Tesla's chimed in on this specific accident, saying that "since it launched Autopilot in 2015, we are not aware of a single instance in which Autopilot refused to disengage." "A driver can easily override Autopilot by lightly touching the steering wheel or brakes," said a Tesla spokesperson. "Moreover, the brakes have an independent bypass circuit that cuts power to the motor no matter what the Autopilot computer requests. And the steering wheel has enough leverage for a person to overpower the electric steering assist at all times." "Safety is the top priority at Tesla, and we engineer and build our cars with this in mind," the statement added. "We also ask our customers to exercise safe behavior when using our vehicles, including following the car’s instructions for remaining alert and present when using Autopilot and to be prepared to take control at all times." ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()