Another Tesla Driver Arrested for DUI While Using Autopilot
California Highway Patrol arrested a 45-year-old man early Friday morning under the suspicion of driving under the influence while his 2017 Tesla Model S was operating in Autopilot on Highway 101.
While condemned previously for its misleading marketing, Tesla has been clearer of late that Autopilot is not self-driving. Likewise, anyone who owns one of its vehicles should be able to understand that the feature has limitations necessitating regular human involvement to complete any journey.
However, none of this has stopped individuals from abusing the driving aid. In August another motorist was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol after his Tesla collided with a fire truck. Earlier in the year, a Tesla owner passed out while behind the wheel. Fortunately, Autopilot brought the vehicle to a stop in the middle of the Oakland Bay Bridge.
Before we attempt to make the claim that Tesla and the Golden State both have serious problems with drunk driving, it should be said that DUIs are a nationwide issue. These reports simply could be the result of a high-profile vehicle being misused in a very specific way in a region that buys a lot of them. We would even hazard a guess that these kind of stories would be more commonplace if the technology existed in more automobiles.
As for the most recent encounter, Fox 2 KTVU reported that the California Highway Patrol arrested Alexander Samek of Los Altos after an officer saw him nodding off in his Tesla around 3:30 in the morning. Initially unresponsive, Officer Art Montiel said law enforcement drove in front of the Tesla in an attempt to force the vehicle to slow down and hopefully stop. But Samek awoke and pulled off the highway, stopping at a Palo Alto gas station. From there, he was taken into custody at the jail in Redwood City by authorities.
An investigation is currently underway to determine whether or not Samek’s vehicle was operating in Autopilot. However, it shouldn’t have much bearing on the case, as the system doesn’t absolve the driver of any responsibility. It’s still illegal to operate any motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
Only on @KTVU: We caught up to Alexander Samek, chair of the @CityofLosAltos planning commission, after his release from jail. He was arrested for DUI after being found asleep behind the wheel of a Tesla on Hwy 101, per @CHP_RedwoodCity. 4,515,6,7p @KTVU pic.twitter.com/lxPlMcVwCo
— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) November 30, 2018
[Image: Tesla Motors]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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So then what's the point of autopilot?
So... what was the reason for the traffic stop, if the car was in auto pilot. Did it do something wrong or illegal, or is this just your too often typical case of police profiling.