Q&A | Self-driving car death triggers introspection

The first American death involving a car in self-driving mode presents a dilemma: How aggressively to embrace the potentially life-saving technology after a fatal crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating the design and performance of the Tesla Model S vehicle's “Autopilot” system after announcing the death of a driver on Thursday. The system was engaged at the time of the crash, but that is only part of the story. His death comes at an awkward time for the U.S. government.