[E. Pluribus Unum]

He wasn't driving, so can they really charge him with DUI?

[Paladin2]

What, no tractor beam?

[2banana]

Kinda cool. Technology preventing a tragic accident.

[Sasparilla]

He still operated the vehicle when he turned on autopilot. It didn’t turn itself on.

[kingu]

I’m pretty sure in California, simply having the keys and being in the vehicle is enough to make you the driver. Which I’ve been curious about, if the passenger is holding the keys in their purse or pocket, am I really the driver?

[JPJones]

Hilarious!

He’s not guilty.

[Major Matt Mason]

This story made me think of this old Steven Wright bit:

The other night I came home late, and tried to unlock my house with my car keys. I started the house up. So, I drove it around for a while. I was speeding, and a cop pulled me over. He asked where I lived. I said, "Right here, officer."

[Larry Lucido]

The auto-assist.

[Gene Eric]

Impressive

[sparklite2]

Interesting the article doesn’t mention that Samek is chair of the Los Altos Planning Commission and runs the real estate developing firm, The Kor Group.

[Enlightened1]

If his Auto Drive was on, then I do not see how that is any different than ridding in a cab.

[Portcall24]

He should have had a half opened bottle of hard liquor and claimed he didn’t start driving until after he activated the auto-drive.

[Robert DeLong]

He wasn't driving, so can they really charge him with DUI?

Yep, they can charge you even if you were not in a moving or even started vehicle, if you are in possession of the means to start the vehicle.

[BipolarBob]

Was that wrong? Should he have not done that? I have to plead ignorance on this. Where I come from people program their Teslas and hit go and put that sleep mask blindfold on to block out the oncoming lights all the time.

/s

[doorgunner69]

Lesson: Stay clear of Teslas and those that drive them.

[KarlInOhio]

A Tesla might get away with it, but what about other cars driving them selves with a fuel-alcohol level of 10%?

[Nifster]

Yes because the law only requires you hat you be behind the wheel

[KittyKares]

It appears I will be the first to praise the quick thinking of the police for figuring out a safe way to stop the vehicle.

[mosesdapoet]

In an earlier posting didn’t catch he was in the operators seat behind the wheel. I commented since he wasn’t traffic violation would be Tesla’s fault. But he was and had the ability to override any Tesla setting.

[pepsi_junkie]

When I was a younger man, legend had it that the law in my state held that if you were drunk and tried to sleep it off on your car, if the keys were in your posession or within reach, you were liable for a DUI. I always wondered if I tossed them into the trunk and closed it if that would count. Yes there’s a release inside the car but clearly the keys are not in reach, I have to get out of the car and take several steps to get them. never tried it out though.

[Tallguy]

Driver assist? More like drinking-assist.