Tesla-Driving Moron Banned For Autopilot 'Seat-Swapping'

Tesla’s Autopilot, and all other Level 2 Autonomous systems are supposed to be for driving ‘assistance’, and nothing more. And yet time and time again - despite several high profile accidents that have highlighted the limitations of such functions - we see idiots like this.

The particular fool we’re looking at today is Bhavesh Patel of Nottinghamshire, who was filmed on the M1 motorway near Hemel Hempstead last May sitting in the passenger seat of his Tesla Model S, with the driver’s seat completely vacant. Yep, he’d engaged Autopilot and then shuffled over to the passenger seat.

Police soon caught up with Patel after the footage was posted online. At St Albans Crown Court on 20 April, the 39-year-old pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was slapped with an 18-month driving ban.

During an earlier interview at Stevenage Police Station, Patel admitted his actions were “silly” but praised the “amazing” capabilities of the Model S, before branding himself the “unlucky one who got caught.”

PC Kirk Caldicutt from the Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit said:

“This case should serve as an example to all drivers who have access to autopilot controls and have thought about attempting something similar. I want to stress that they are in no way a substitute for a competent motorist in the driving seat who can react appropriately to the road ahead.”