Tesla ‘ driver’ banned after switching to autopilot

A man who switched on his Tesla’s autopilot and sat in the passenger seat while “driving” on a busy motorway has been banned from driving for 18 months.

B haves hP at el ,39, was driving his Tesla S 60 on the M 1 at 7:40 pm on 21 May last year when he switched on the supercar’ s auto pilot function. He then moved across to the passenger seat, leaving the steering wheel and foot controls unmanned. A witness noticed Pat el, who had owned the car for five months, and filmed the reckless behaviour.

No- one could be seen in the driver’s seat and Patel appeared to have his hands behind his head. The witness, a passenger in another car, filmed Patel as the car drove past.

As well as his 18- month disqualification, Patel was given 100 hours unpaid work.