A tragic accident in Tavira led to four young people losing their lives when their Tesla vehicle fell into a river. The car became partially submerged, and it’s likely the occupants couldn’t escape because all doors remained locked. This incident might have prompted Tesla to acknowledge the need to enhance its safety measures.
New Safety Feature
Tesla has introduced a subaquatic feature that automatically opens the windows and trunk in case of submersion. Modern vehicles are equipped with advanced safety technologies, and Tesla is at the forefront. A crucial safety feature is how Tesla cars react when submerged. In the event of being in water, the vehicles are programmed to lower the windows and open the trunk, increasing the occupants’ chances of escape.
Submersion Safety Mechanism
When the car’s sensors detect submersion, the windows automatically go down, and the trunk opens. This strategy is based on the fact that after a vehicle becomes submerged, the water pressure makes it extremely difficult to open the doors. By providing escape routes, Tesla significantly increases the occupants’ chances of escaping in the critical seconds before a possible system failure or fire.
A tweet from the Tesla Motors Community announced the new feature: “Tesla Adds Submersion Safety Feature That Opens Windows and Trunk Automatically. #Tesla https://t.co/XQeqJVlDYi”
Although this innovation represents significant progress in passenger protection, it also reveals a deeper reality: true safety in such situations doesn’t rely solely on technology – it demands human preparation, notably knowing how to swim.
Swimming is one of the most critical skills in emergencies like these. Once outside the vehicle, occupants must deal with the aquatic environment, often under dangerous and adverse conditions. Drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death worldwide. Many victims can’t swim, panic, and can’t save themselves, even after escaping the vehicle.
Knowing how to stay calm, float, and having basic swimming skills can substantially increase survival chances.
Driver Preparation
Besides knowing how to swim, drivers must be prepared to react correctly if their vehicle enters the water. Immediately trying to open the doors is usually useless due to external pressure. The windows should be the primary escape route. Tesla’s automatic feature helps, but it requires a quick response from occupants.
It’s also recommended to keep a small emergency kit in the vehicle, including tools like a glass breaker or a seatbelt cutter. In some cases, automatic systems might fail or not activate in time.
The combination of suitable tools and preparation can significantly increase survival probability.