Regulators scrutinise the death of another Tesla S driver in the Netherlands
While the cause of the crash hasn't been determined yet investigators are turning their attentions to the cars safety systems Driverless cars have gone from the realms of science fiction to the streets of major US states and cities - from Pittsburg to Singapore - within just a few years.
Key takeaways
- Driverless cars have gone from the realms of science fiction to the streets of major US states and cities - from Pittsburg to Singapore - within just a few years.
- According to DutchNews, the crash took place on a country road around 6AM.
- The rescue team was, at first, unable to extract the driver’s body for fear of being electrocuted and the driver’s body was only recovered after Tesla dispatched its technicians to provide the much needed help.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2016) 'Regulators scrutinise the death of another Tesla S driver in the Netherlands', 311 Institute, 7 September. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/regulators-scrutinise-the-death-of-another-tesla-s-driver-in-the-netherlands/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
While the cause of the crash hasn't been determined yet investigators are turning their attentions to the cars safety systems
Driverless cars have gone from the realms of science fiction to the streets of major US states and cities - from Pittsburg to Singapore - within just a few years. Meanwhile regulators around the world, who have arguably been caught short footed, are still trying to understand and get to grips with the safety implications that at this new technology will have on drivers and civilians.
As a consequence it's understandable that every accident involving a semi, or fully autonomous vehicle are scrutinised in minute detail, much more so than a regular RTA. Once again Tesla find themselves under the microscope when, too soon after a Tesla Model S driver died in Florida, another 53 year old Tesla Model S driver has tragically died after crashing into a tree at high speeds in the Baarn, Netherlands. At the moment though the cause of the crash - specifically whether or not the driver had engaged Tesla's Autopilot feature - is unclear.
According to DutchNews, the crash took place on a country road around 6AM. Rescue teams responded quickly but reports say the driver was already dead by the time firefighters arrived on the scene.
The rescue team was, at first, unable to extract the driver’s body for fear of being electrocuted and the driver’s body was only recovered after Tesla dispatched its technicians to provide the much needed help.
While investigations are being held to determine the cause of the accident it’s still unclear why the built in safety features on the Tesla didn’t save the driver.
“Tesla launched a full investigation. Once the outcome is known, Tesla will share with the public,” the company said.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
While the cause of the crash hasn't been determined yet investigators are turning their attentions to the cars safety systems Driverless cars have gone from the realms of science fiction to the streets of major US states and cities - from Pittsburg to Singapore - within just a few years.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 15-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 7 September 2016. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2016). Regulators scrutinise the death of another Tesla S driver in the Netherlands. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/regulators-scrutinise-the-death-of-another-tesla-s-driver-in-the-netherlands/
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