this post was submitted on 10 Mar 2024

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Mitch McConnell’s billionaire sister-in-law Angela Chao made panicked last call before dying in ‘completely submerged’ Tesla on Texas ranch: report (nypost.com)

submitted 9 months ago by Rapidcreek@lemmy.world to c/politics@lemmy.world

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[–] ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de 37 points 9 months ago (5 children)

If anyone's curious, it looks like you "hold the brake and swipe up" on a touchscreen area to go in drive, and "hold the brake and swipe down" to go into reverse.

So yeah, it's not a physical shifter, though it seems pretty intuitive and simple. BUT if you're in reverse and try to swipe up to drive(like you'd do during a 3 point turn) , you have no feedback aside from looking at the screen to let you know it actually registered your shift.

IMO this is another idiotic implementation at going cheap on physical controls or "being high tech fancy" that shouldn't exist. It's dumb to not have important functions give physical feedback while driving. I'm not laying most of the blame on tesla for this. It still sounds like she's the one who really screwed herself, but I'd all but guarantee there's going to be a lawsuit for this one, and rightly so. Fuck all this touch control crap in cars. It's lousy enough just on the radios.

[–] Thann@lemmy.ml 28 points 9 months ago (7 children)

Don't forget the fancy electric door handles that stop working when you back into a pond.

There are emergency override handles, but not everyone knows where they are or how to use them, so they're not all that useful in an emergency.

These deadly features are purely cosmetic, so I would lay a decent amount of blame is on tesla

[–] Signtist@lemm.ee 13 points 9 months ago (5 children)

Stupid cosmetic designs have been an issue for a long time. There was a theater fire in Chicago in the early 1900's where a bunch of people died because they couldn't figure out how to use the fancy door handles while panicking and being crushed by everyone trying to get out. That's the reason why exit doors on buildings with a high occupancy are now required to swing out, and have those pushbar locks that allow the door to open even if you're just falling on it.

If it's possible that someone will need to use something while panicking, it needs to be as simple, intuitive, and failproof as possible

[–] roguetrick@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Wanted to chime in and clarify, the major issue there is you cannot operate a door handle in a crush, no matter how much of your senses you have. Can't use a door handle if you can't use your arms. Am drunk on the internet and hope this isn't interpreted as a hostile reply.

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[–] MashedPotatoJeff@lemmy.world 11 points 9 months ago (2 children)

If I had my way, regulations would require a physical connection for all door handles, and not just that a secondary physical release be available. I don't know how you would go about finding injuries associated with each design as a layperson, but I bet there's a death or two associated with each novel design.

An old man roasted in his Cadillac XLR because the battery was dead and he didn't know where the secondary release was. I think it's under the seat on that car. I don't care how cool that electronic door release was, or if the old man was negligent in not knowing his exits; it wasn't worth his life.

[–] chiliedogg@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months ago (1 children)

And let's not forget that there are people who have flexibility issues that can't reach under their seat in an emergency.

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[–] Everythingispenguins@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago (2 children)

I love how they made the emergency door release a multi step process, which on some models recommended a flat head screwdriver or in others only is for the front doors.

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[–] qwertilliopasd@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months ago

That is the worst idea ever. When I drove a snow plow I would shift from forward to reverse and back hundreds of times a storm. Without taking my eyes off my surroundings.

[–] Blackmist@feddit.uk 3 points 9 months ago

But bro, you'll save like $0.87 per car by not including a physical gearshifter. Won't anyone think of the poor shareholders footing that bill.

[–] BrianTheeBiscuiteer@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Anton Yelchin was also done in by a not too dissimilar feature. The gear shift of his vehicle returned to a "neutral position" after shifting so unless you looked at the letter indicator you may not realize what gear you're in.

[–] ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 9 months ago

I have the same annoyance with my prius. It's a physical shifter you move, but it electronically shifts and the shifter always goes back to the same spot. If I try shifting in a hurry it won't register every so often.

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[–] arc@lemm.ee 12 points 9 months ago (1 children)

When your Tesla is on fire, or sinking, you can play a fun little game called "Find the manual door release"

[–] Che_Donkey@lemmy.ml 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Wait....

....there isn't one?

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[–] Tronn4@lemmy.world 12 points 9 months ago

They should have used the Tesla Rock that broke the Tesla Trucks window

[–] dhork@lemmy.world 11 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (3 children)

I find it hard to talk badly of anyone who had just died, whether or not they were related to Mitch McConnell. That was a horrible way to go.

But, if it turns out the Tesla design was at fault, then we may be watching one of the few families who have enough resources to challenge Elon Musk get medieval on his ass. Which would be fun to watch, even if did take a tragedy to start all off.

[–] Burn_The_Right@lemmy.world 16 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (4 children)

Their family is not a "loving family" that normal people would imagine. These are conservatives who lack the capacity for empathy and do not feel kindness or love for one another. Their relationships are transactional.

If they sue, it will only be because they see an opportunity for profit. Not because they want to prevent this from happening to anyone else.

[–] Maeve@kbin.social 3 points 9 months ago

My family and most people I know are poor, and this is also how they function. Even the "side" pieces.

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[–] Blue_Morpho@lemmy.world 9 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Mitch's sister in law died in a Tesla.

Mitch Endorses Trump.

Trump meets with Elon Musk.

Do I have the timeline correct?

[–] Fedizen@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months ago (5 children)

theoretically it should be possible to remotely control a tesla. I'm not saying its murder, but did anyone check?

[–] Blue_Morpho@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

The great thing about software is it can be programmed to leave no evidence.

"The log says self driving was off"

"The log says the computer controlled doors were unlocked"

Who wrote that log? Yeah.

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[–] Vytle@lemmy.world 8 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Im begining to think that billionares are just weak to water.

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[–] Arthur_Leywin@lemmy.world 8 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Annnnnd I'm becoming a worse person cuz this put a smile on my face. Honestly it's partially her fault for trusting Elon's company.

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[–] DigitalTraveler42@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Imagine the crazy conspiracy shit if this was how Musk forced McConnell to retire by forcing her Tesla into the water, or some other crazy reason.

[–] BobbyNevada@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 9 months ago (2 children)

That's some James Bond villain bullshit.

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[–] I_Fart_Glitter@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago (2 children)

This is horrifying. A manual window breaking device that is part of the interior of the car should be standard by now. It wouldn't be that difficult to design. This is not a Tesla exclusive problem.

[–] NotMyOldRedditName@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

I never actually thought about this, but you're right. Wtf isn't this a standard, and part of saftey scores?

For some cars you can remove the head rest and use the metal prongs, but it's still probably not as good as an actual purpose built punch.

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[–] jordanlund@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago (7 children)

Wow, he referenced her death in his retirement statement, but I just assumed it was age related because... well... look at them.

Always remember, if your car goes in the water, you CAN'T open your door until the pressure equalizes. You have pounds of water pushing against the door, keeping it closed.

Mythbusters went over this... Undo your seat belt and let the water IN. When there's enough water inside, open the door.

[–] Everythingispenguins@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

Shortly after Mythbusters did that bit. They were directly credited with saving a trucker's life. He crashed into a lake. His window didn't work but he had a manual roof vent, which he was able to open to equalize the pressure. He said he would have never done that if he hadn't seen the episode because of how scary it was to watch the water pour into his cab.

Spelling

[–] IMongoose@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Adam Savage has said that that was the most terrifying myth they've tested, and I'm pretty sure even with all of their divers and support crew he thought he was going to die.

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[–] the16bitgamer@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago (11 children)

This is a Tesla right? Those door handles are electric, so you need to hope the cars electrics hold and not short. Or you can find the emergency release in the door pocket.

[–] Burn_The_Right@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months ago

you can find the emergency release in the door pocket.

Not without some training first. They are inexplicably hidden. I imagine Elon laughing aloud when he reads of people drowning in Teslas, frantically trying to figure out how to escape.

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[–] skeptomatic@lemmy.ca 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Helicopter Egress Training they actually have you keep your seat belt(s) on until the cabin is filled with water, pressure equalized, AND door/window opened. The reason is, to push a door or window open you need a solid "foundation" and if you're unstrapped floating in water you may only push your body away.
A road vehicle has a smaller cabin and more hand/foot holds, but I thought it worth mentioning.

[–] jordanlund@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

I think the reason they mention it is, in a car full of water, it would be an easy thing to forget, then if you get the door open, you panic because you still can't get out.

[–] robdor@lemmynsfw.com 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Top gear also did this and their results were pretty much just get out of the car as soon as you know you're going in the water.

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[–] BilboBargains@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago

Billionaire Kryptonite recipe.

One part billionaire, one part Tesla, two parts billionaire tears. Shake well and douse with copious volumes of lake water. Chef's kiss

[–] june@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago (4 children)

Oh no

Anyway, I’m going to Vegas later this week to get messy with my friends for my 40th. Anyone have any recommendations for places to hit?

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