(for background: I've driven tens of thousands of miles using Autopilot in both a Model S and Model X, on both local roads and highways)
I own a Tesla Model 3 and I have chosen not to purchase the full self-driving package nor do I intend to rent it. I don't think the technology is worth it at this point to me personally.
When you own the vehicle, it is very clear that the autopilot mode is simply a lane assist system. They have messages flashing all over the screen stating that it will not stop at stop signs or red lights. It's not like it's hidden from anybody and instead is blatantly displayed with no way to stop it from displaying every time it is activated.
This driver was abusing a system that is meant to reduce fatigue. He should bear the consequences. Those of us who enjoy the reduction fatigue when driving from Denver to Omaha like I've had to do recently, should not have the feature disabled because of his irresponsibility.
Autopilot != FSD. Autopilot comes with the vehicle. Full Self Driving is an add-on. He was on Autopilot.
But let's not the facts or details stop us.
When you operate heavy machinery, it's your responsibility to read the owner's manual, and not just listen to the marketing.
Thoroughly enjoying the completely uninformed comments on this.
There's only one reason they pick the term "autopilot" -- and that is to give people the impression that these cars have magical powers that they do not, in fact have. And until proven otherwise, most likely will never have.
Full Self Driving is an expensive upgrade, and the driver wasn't using it.
But not to worry, the conflation of the two is driving dozens of confident, self-assured statements in this thread that are embarrassingly off-the-mark.
Perhaps that why these days both of these systems are open to abuse constantly by the driver without the car monitoring them and hence the cause of these crashes regardless if it is autopilot or FSD.