Posted on 12/03/2018 7:52:16 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. Two California Highway Patrol Officers came up with a technique on the spot to stop a speeding Tesla Model S with an allegedly drunken driver asleep behind the wheel on the 101 Freeway in Redwood City on Friday, authorities said.
The encounter took place just before 4:30 a.m. on the southbound freeway near Whipple Avenue, the CHP said in a written statement.
The officers saw the car traveling at about 70 mph and realized the driver appeared to be unconscious, officials said. The driver showed no response when the officers activated their emergency lights and sirens while directly behind the Tesla in an attempt to pull it over.
"Officers then positioned their patrol vehicle in front of the Tesla and began slowing directly in front of the Tesla in hoped that the 'driver assist' feature had been activated, and therefore, the Tesla would slow to a stop as the patrol vehicle came to a stop," according to the statement.
They were able to slow the auto-piloted car to a complete stop.
After finally managing to rouse the driver, officers determined he was under the influence of alcohol, CHP officials said. Alexander Samek, 45, of Los Altos was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
"We cannot confirm at this time if the 'driver assist' feature was activated, but considering the vehicle's ability to slow to a stop when Samek was asleep, it appears the 'driver assist' feature may have been active at the time," the statement said.
What, no tractor beam?
Kinda cool. Technology preventing a tragic accident.
Being repaired at the shop
He still operated the vehicle when he turned on autopilot. It didn’t turn itself on.
Don’t ya think maybe he drove drunk because he knew he didn’t have to drive.
But can you put in directions all the way home?
And this WOULD save a lot of lives when drunk drivers do drive?!??!
But how many lives are worth freedom?
I dont know. I can barely work the remote.
I need a drink
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?
Hilarious!
He’s not guilty.
So someday when Uber has autonomous vehicles with no driver picking you up and you’re drunk, will you be arrested for DUI?
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."
Impressive
"I was Caesarean born. Cant really tell, although whenever I leave a house I go through the window."
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.
The problem arises from people who are sloppy drunk and get in their car trying to get the key in the ignition...they may or may not get it started and may or may not put it into gear and get it on the road so legislators write laws that read, “...operated or attempted to operate while under the influence...”
Yes. And you can even have it start and come TO you. All you have to do is get in and be a passenger, which he was. Court case sure to come.
If his Auto Drive was on, then I do not see how that is any different than ridding in a cab.
In our area a guy driving a Tesla 30 miles to home had a blood clot in his lungs while on the highway. He put it on auto drive to the hospital and survived. He feels he may very well have died by the side of the road if he’d had to stop and wait on an ambulance in the rural area.
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