Alleged Drunk Driver Told Police His Car Was On Autopilot
By Bill Galluccio
January 22, 2018
When u pass out behind the wheel on the Bay Bridge with more than 2x legal alcohol BAC limit and are found by a CHP Motor. Driver explained Tesla had been set on autopilot. He was arrested and charged with suspicion of DUI. Car towed (no it didn’t drive itself to the tow yard). pic.twitter.com/4NSRlOBRBL
— CHP San Francisco (@CHPSanFrancisco) January 19, 2018
Self-driving cars move closer to reality each day, but that doesn't mean you can operate one while drunk. One man found that out the hard way a couple of weeks ago. According the New York Post, California Highway Patrol were called to reports of a man sleeping behind the wheel of his car while stuck in traffic on the Bay Bridge.
When police arrived they found the unidentified man unconscious. After police were able to wake the man, he explained that everything was fine because his Tesla was in auto-pilot. That argument did not sway the cops, who asked him to step out of the car.
Police said he had a blood alcohol content that was twice the legal limit. They arrested him, and booked him on suspicion of driving under the influence. His car was towed, and as the Twitter post pointed out, "it didn't drive itself to the tow yard."
Tesla has said the autopilot function on it's cars is not meant to completely replace the driver. They advise drivers to pay attention and keep their hands on the wheel in case something goes wrong. The company told the San Francisco Chronicle the "autopilot is intended for use only with a fully attentive driver."