October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsSlow PC?RecommendedPC slow today? Run a repair scan before it gets worseResolve common Windows issues and optimize system performance.Scan NowOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
World desk5 min

Tesla Reportedly Hit a Deer While FSD (Supervised) Was Engaged—What the Video Shows

A viral 2024 video appears to show a Tesla Model 3 striking a deer without visible braking. The owner said FSD was active, but the footage cannot verify the software state, speed, driver attention or whether avoidance was possible.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

A video posted on October 28, 2024, appears to show a Tesla Model 3 striking a deer without visible braking or swerving. The uploader, identified in coverage as Paul S, said Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system was active. The footage and reported damage are real enough to merit scrutiny, but it does not independently establish the software state, speed, driver attention or whether the collision could have been avoided.

What happened in the video?

According to the owner’s post and reports published by Futurism on October 30, 2024, the Tesla was traveling on a road when a deer entered or occupied its path. The published clip appears to show the car continuing forward into the animal without an obvious last-second slowdown or steering maneuver.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The owner said Full Self-Driving was engaged and reportedly said the vehicle continued moving after the impact. Coverage described a dented hood and scratches on the windshield, with possible additional damage. The uploader reportedly characterized the event as an edge case while still describing FSD favorably. Those statements come from the owner, not from Tesla telemetry or an official investigation.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The original social-media post is a primary artifact showing that a video exists. It is not a complete incident record: the clip was reportedly edited before the most graphic portion, and the public material does not include vehicle logs, speed data or a verified software version.

#1 Best Overall
DREIEYECAM Dash Cam for Tesla Model S AP1, OEM Style Design, Plug & Play, 1080P Full HD Car DVR with WiFi, G-Sensor, Loop Recording, Automatic Video Recording Dashboard Camera
  • - Exclusive Compatibility: Custom-designed solely for Tesla Model S with AP1 (Autopilot 1) — NOT compatible with non-AP versions or AP2-equipped Model S, ensuring perfect fit and functional matching.
  • - 100% Plug-and-Play, No Modifications: Zero wiring required to preserve the vehicle’s original factory look; installs seamlessly without interfering with native Autopilot systems or factory electronics.
  • - Premium Magnetic Polariscope & Full HD Recording: Built-in magnetic suction polariscope for glare reduction, 138° ultra-wide viewing angle, and crisp 1920x1080P resolution at 30FPS for clear, detailed road footage day and night.
  • - Smart Safety Features Built-In: Equipped with a sensitive G-sensor that automatically locks critical accident footage, plus seamless loop recording to overwrite old files and ensure uninterrupted storage usage.
  • - OEM-Standard Fit & Reliable Support: Precision OEM engineering matches the original car’s dimensions and interior style for a factory-finish look. This dash cam is only compatible with Tesla Model S AP1; please reach out to our support team with any product questions or concerns.

What the footage establishes—and what it does not

Established by the published material Not independently established
A video posted October 28, 2024, appears to show a Tesla striking a deer. That Full Self-Driving was actually engaged at the critical moment.
Coverage identifies the vehicle as a Tesla Model 3. The vehicle’s exact speed, road conditions or software version.
The owner reported vehicle and windshield damage. Whether the system detected the deer before impact.
The owner reported continued forward motion after the collision. Whether the driver was attentive, intervened or had enough time to avoid the impact.
The published clip shows no obvious pre-impact braking or swerving. Whether braking or steering would have been physically feasible or safer.

In other words, the video is evidence of an apparent animal collision, not proof of a particular internal perception or control decision by Tesla’s software.

What Tesla says FSD (Supervised) is

Tesla’s current product name is Full Self-Driving (Supervised). Tesla describes it as an advanced driver-assistance system that can perform tasks such as following curves, navigating intersections, changing lanes, making turns and entering or leaving highways, depending on the vehicle, hardware, software, region and regulatory approval. The company says the driver must remain fully attentive and ready to take over at any time; the system does not make the car autonomous.

Tesla’s Model 3 manual repeats that warning. A separate Model 3 limitations page says the system may not always detect or appropriately react to “present or emerging animals on the road.” It also lists pedestrians, cyclists, unusual objects, construction zones, narrow roads and complex intersections among situations requiring caution.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #2
Sale
ROVE R2-4K Dual Dash Cam Front and Rear, STARVIS 2 Sensor, Free 128GB Card
  • UPSCALED 4K FRONT + 1080P REAR DUAL DASH CAM: The ROVE R2-4K DUAL records the road ahead and behind at the same time. The front camera captures at 2.5K (QHD) and intelligently upscales to 4K (2160P) for higher-detail playback, while the rear camera records at Full HD 1080P. This is upscaled 4K, not native 4K, engineered to show sharper everyday detail than standard 1080P dash cams, so you can read license plates, signs, and surroundings in front and rear footage.
  • SONY STARVIS 2 IMX675 SENSOR + SUPER NIGHT VISION: The front camera uses a Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675 5MP image sensor with a wide F1.5 aperture (F1.8 rear) and HDR to pull in more light for clearer low-light footage. This advanced sensor enhances nighttime clarity, helping capture license plates, road signs, and surrounding vehicles with greater reliability when driving after dark, through tunnels, or in dusk and dawn conditions.
  • ULTRA FAST 5.8GHz WIFI/ UP TO 20MB/s DOWNLOAD SPEED: With its built-in dual-band 5.8GHz and 2.4GHz WiFi, you can use the ROVE dash cam app to view and manage dash cam recordings instantly on your iPhone and Android smartphone. Using the ROVE app, download your recorded videos directly to your smartphone at up to 20 MB/sec, then easily share them on social media with friends and family. Additionally, manage camera settings and update the latest firmware over-the-air via the ROVE App.
  • CAR CAMERA WITH GPS: The new front and rear dashcam comes with built-in GPS, which enables you to view real-time live speed and compass on the 3” IPS wide camera screen. It records precise driving routes, locations, and speed stamps directly on the video so you can watch dashcam videos with GPS data using ROVE's free GPS Player on your PC or Mac & get additional evidence when you need it.
  • FEATURES WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY INCLUDED: Experience peace of mind with this front and rear car dash cam. It comes with a free 128GB microSD card and offers advanced features such as an f1.5 aperture, motion detection, G-sensor, seamless loop recording, emergency video lock, screen saver, live speed and compass direction, voice guidance, ring of threads for optional CPL filter, a built-in supercapacitor for extended product life, support for up to 1TB microSD cards, and many more.

Tesla warns that low light, rain, snow, fog and direct sun can significantly reduce performance and that the vehicle may make unexpected maneuvers requiring immediate intervention. These warnings do not prove what happened in the deer clip, but they place the scenario within a limitation Tesla publicly discloses.

Could a human driver have avoided the deer?

The footage alone cannot answer that. Critical facts are missing:

  • How far away the deer was when it first became visible.
  • Whether it entered from the side or was already in the lane.
  • The vehicle’s speed and the posted limit.
  • Headlight performance, ambient light, glare, rain, fog, hills and curves.
  • Whether the driver had time to brake or whether swerving would have created a greater danger.

Avoidance and mitigation are different questions. Even if a miss was impossible, earlier braking might have reduced impact speed. Nothing in the public clip establishes whether that opportunity existed, so neither “a human definitely could have stopped” nor “no human could have avoided it” is supportable.

Rank #3
Fitcamx 4K Dash Camera Suitable for Tesla Model Y 2020-2024, Integrated OEM Style, 2160P UHD Video, Loop Recording & Gravity Sensor, Built-in WiFi & APP, Night Vision, Plug & Play, 64GB Card
  • How to make sure you ordered the correct OEM model? Please provide the following info to FITCAMX if you not sure which model is correct: 1. PIC of your rear view mirror cover (from side angle) 2. vehicle style and year of manufactured e.g 2024 Tesla Model Y Long Range
  • Intergrated for Tesla Model Y 2020-2024: Specially designed for Tesla Model Y vehicle styles, such as Long Range, Performance, RWD. FITCAMX dash camera can fits seamless behind the rear view mirror just like OEM factory installed. The covert wireless design keeps concealed and neat wiring. This integrated car camera works nicely on your Model Y
  • 4K UHD Video: Equipped with advanced chip & CMOS sensor, the dash cam ensures image performance in every aspect, displaying exceptional video quality at UHD 2160P/30fps. The f/1.6 large aperture lens and WDR technology can adjust the exposure automatically to capture every vivid moments clearly even at night, such as license plates and road signs
  • Easy Installation & User Friendly: This Cam doesn't require complicated wiring, just plug and play. The built-in WiFi enables you to view, download and share videos to phone or PC while on the way. And Fitcamx APP is easy to operate and straightforward. *Turn off the Cellular Data/Bluetooth if no preview.
  • Durable&Service: Made of high-density ABS+PC, FITCAMX unique covert dash cam is strict quality verified and has temperature-resistance, which can work under temperature of -20°C to 85°C (-4°F-185°F). We offer 24/7 life-time technical support, you could reach our customer service if any queries. Definately worth the price and will be a nice suprise.

Why might the Tesla have continued after impact?

Reports say the car continued forward rather than stopping immediately. That observation does not identify a specific post-collision failure. Possible explanations include the system not recognizing the collision, delayed driver intervention, omitted seconds in the edited video, momentum or damage affecting the vehicle, or driver input. The available material does not show which explanation applies.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Camera perception and the lidar debate

Some coverage contrasts Tesla’s camera-based approach with systems that also use lidar. Tesla manuals describe its driver-assistance functions as relying on vehicle cameras and an onboard AI computer; Tesla also says behavior varies with hardware and software. Camera performance can be challenged by darkness, glare, weather and low contrast.

That is a systems-engineering issue, not proof of causation here. There is no evidence that the absence of lidar caused this deer strike, and lidar would not guarantee detection or safe avoidance of a fast, unpredictable animal. The clip cannot establish what another sensor architecture would have done.

Rank #4
REDTIGER F7NP 4K Dash Cam Front Rear, STARVIS 2 Sensor, Free Card Included
  • [4K+1080P Front & Rear Recording] REDTIGER F7NP dash cam captures every detail with stunning 4K front and 1080P rear video. Featuring the advanced STARVIS 2 sensor plus the 170° front and 140° rear wide-angle lens, this dash camera delivers sharper images, balanced lighting, and reliable evidence day or night. Ideal for commuting, road trips, rideshare drivers, and new drivers.
  • [STARVIS 2 Sensor & WDR Night Vision] Equipped with the advanced STARVIS 2 sensor, F1.5 large aperture, and 6-layer optical lens, F7NP 4K dual dash cam delivers clear, high-contrast footage in any lighting. WDR and HDR technology balance highlights and shadows, ensuring sharp night vision and crisp details day or night, providing reliable evidence and enhanced safety for every drive.
  • [Built-in 5.8GHz WiFi & Smart App] Connect your smartphone to the dashcam’s built-in 5.8GHz WiFi to enjoy ultra-fast downloads up to 20MB/s. Using Redtiger Cam app, you can preview, download, and replay videos in real time, check GPS ata (route, speed, and location), and manage settings effortlessly, making it simple to review footage and share important moments.
  • [Loop Recording & Free Memory Card] This car camera supports seamless loop recording to ensure continuous coverage without interruption. Older files are automatically overwritten when storage is full, while important events are safely locked. A free memory card is included, giving you ample space for 4K recordings and allowing you to use the camera right out of the box.
  • [24/7 Parking Mode* & G-Sensor] Enjoy round-the-clock protection with two parking modes: time-lapse recording for continuous low-bitrate monitoring and G-sensor mode that records when collision is detected. The car security camera with G-sensor automatically locks important clips, ensuring crucial evidence is safely preserved even while your vehicle is parked.(*Hardwire kit needed.)
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Does one deer strike show that FSD is unsafe?

It shows a potentially serious failure mode and is consistent with Tesla’s own warning about emerging animals. It does not provide a fleet-wide failure rate or a statistically valid safety comparison.

Population-level conclusions require verified records of FSD engagement, exposure miles, road and weather conditions, driver monitoring, software versions and consistent definitions of collisions and fault. Viral clips also have selection bias: dramatic failures are more likely to be shared than uneventful detections or successful interventions.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Tesla’s Vehicle Safety Report claims fewer collisions when FSD is engaged than during manual driving. That is Tesla’s own analysis, not an independent finding; the company describes methodological limitations and does not assign fault in its collision reporting. Its statistics therefore cannot be used to dismiss this incident or to prove that FSD caused it.

Best Value
REDTIGER 4K STARVIS 2 Dashcam Front Rear, 5GHz WiFi 20MB/s, Free 128GB Card
  • [4K+1080P Dual Recording] REDTIGER F7N TOUCH captures your drive journey in stunning 4K UHD resolution with STARVIS 2 sensor 170° wide-angle view for the front dash cam and 1080P FHD resolution 140° wide-angle for the rear car camera. Equipped with WDR and HDR technology, the enhanced super night vision ensures better visibility even in low-light situations, providing you with reliable recordings day and night.
  • [Voice Control & Touch Screen] F7NTOUCH dashcam features voice commands, allowing for hands-free control of your 4K car camera, which enhances safety by minimizing distractions. The dual camera dash cam also has smart touchscreen that can lock emergency video, turn on wifi, and capture scenery with one click. Redtiger also retains the buttons, multiple control methods are integrated.
  • [Built-in GPS & 5.8GHz WiFi] Both Android and IOS users can connect to dashcam WiFi via the REDTIGER Cam app. Although the dash cam is installed wired, you can enjoy wireless control on your smartphone, faster 20MB/s download speed and share your driving experiences in real-time with friends and insurance companies. Car recorder built-in GPS provides traceable location, speed, and accurate route in the recordings.
  • [Loop Recording & G-Sensor] REDTIGER F7N TOUCH dual channel dash cam automatically overwrites the oldest footage when the memory is full, ensuring endless recording with the included 128GB card. With a built-in G-sensor that detects sudden movements or impacts, it automatically locks and protects the associated footage when an event is detected on the road, ensuring it won't be overwritten during loop recording.
  • [24-hour Parking Monitoring*] REDTIGER Car dashboard camera offers G-Sensor Parking Mode that automatically record when it detects any collisions or sudden motion while vehicles is parked. Time Lapse Parking Mode provides continuous surveillance by offering a condensed overview of any events that may occur during parking periods. *Please note that the parking monitoring function requires a separate hardwire kit.

What Tesla drivers should do in deer country

  • Treat FSD as supervised assistance, not a substitute for driving.
  • Keep your eyes on the roadway and be ready to brake immediately.
  • Reduce speed in marked deer areas, especially around dusk, dawn and at night.
  • Do not make a blind swerve into oncoming traffic; brake firmly while maintaining control when that is the safer option.
  • After a collision, stop safely, use hazard lights and contact emergency services when appropriate. Do not continue if damage may affect steering, braking, lighting or visibility.

What FSD costs and how activation works

Tesla’s support page displayed a $99-per-month subscription price when checked on August 18, 2026. Tesla says prices and availability can change, and eligibility depends on vehicle, hardware, software and location. A subscription is supervised driver assistance, not autonomous driving, and Tesla’s animal-detection warning still applies.

For an eligible vehicle, Tesla’s documented touchscreen path is Controls → Self-Driving → Full Self-Driving (Supervised), followed by the user agreements. Subscription signup is handled in the Tesla app under Upgrades → Software Upgrades; an over-the-air update may be required. Labels and availability can differ by vehicle and software version.

Bottom line

The October 28, 2024 video appears to document a Tesla Model 3 hitting a deer while the owner said FSD was active. It does not independently prove FSD engagement, a software defect, an unavoidable or avoidable collision, or a fleet-wide safety rate. The clearest confirmed context is Tesla’s own warning that FSD may fail to detect or appropriately react to present or emerging animals—and its requirement that a fully attentive driver remain responsible.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Wire

  1. World desk4 min
    How to Spot an AI Voice Scam Before Sending MoneyDon’t rely on how a caller sounds. Pause, call back through a known number, and verify the emergency with another trusted person before sending money.
  2. Mountain View desk4 min
    Google’s SynthID Detector: How to Check AI-Generated Images, Video and AudioGoogle’s SynthID Detector looks for an embedded watermark in supported images, video and audio. Here is what its results do—and do not—show.
  3. Redmond desk20 min
    How to create a link to File or Folder in Windows 11Windows 11 gives you several ways to point to a file or folder without moving or duplicating it. You can create a desktop shortcut,…
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.