Canada Police has criminally charged a Tesla driver and passenger that were caught sleeping on Autopilot with their seat fully reclined while the car is at high speed.
RCMP have charged the driver of a Tesla Model S who was caught driving 140 km/h on Highway 2 near Ponoka.
Oh, and both the driver and the passenger were SLEEPING at the time. pic.twitter.com/XZDXFOXAH1
— Trevor Robb (@TrevorRobb_) September 17, 2020
Alberta RCMP (Canada federal police) reported on a strange incident involving a Tesla vehicle on Autopilot.
“Alberta RCMP received a complaint of a car speeding on Highway 2 near Ponoka. The car appeared to be self-driving, traveling over 140 km/h with both front seats completely reclined and occupants appeared to be asleep.”
In this incident, the police reported some strange behaviors from the vehicle, which was presumably on Autopilot:
“After the responding Officer activated emergency lights on their vehicle, the Tesla automatically began to accelerate. The Officer was able to obtain radar readings on the vehicle, confirming that it had automatically accelerated up to exactly 150 km/h.
The police said that the vehicle eventually stopped, and they gave the driver a speeding ticket.
Later, they decided to also charge the driver for dangerous driving under the criminal code.
The Police later on shared the picture of a Tesla Model S vehicle on Twitter:
Tesla Autopilot is not a “self-driving” system but a suite of driver assist features. While it can technically drive autonomously on highways without driver interventions, Tesla asks drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and to pay attention at all times.
The automaker also implemented a system that requires drivers to frequently apply light torque to the steering wheel in order for Autopilot to stay active.
Some Tesla drivers have been getting around the system by attaching a weight to the steering wheel — a practice considered dangerous by US regulators (and anyone with half a mind).
Tesla Electrek’s Response.
Tesla has not yet made an official response about the case.
This is not the first time we’ve heard of people sleeping inside their vehicles on Autopilot.
Last year, a couple was charged in a Maryland Court for sleeping in the Tesla.
Last week, Pam Baker and her Los Angels couple crashed their Tesla while sleeping on an Autopilot.
@elonmusk beyond grateful that you made a car that saved my husband’s life yesterday. My 4 kids and I thank you with all we have. #Tesla pic.twitter.com/nCtv03FOS0
— Pam Baker (@pambaker18) September 17, 2020
It’s absolutely shocking how and why they are thanking Tesla Marker and CEO Elon Musk for “saving thei lives”.
Tesla has a limit of 90 mph — 150 km/h on Autopilot.
My take,
Using Autopilot at such high speed is dangerous to start with. If you are not paying attention, reclining your seat, and going to sleep while still at the same! I think you should certainly be criminally charged.
