Auto pilot extreme

Ablur of high-density LED light at dusk is about all you can see in the video, but the sight of a Tesla Model S well and truly airborne after it accelerates over a railroad crossing is still dramatic in the extreme. Not least because the blur is caught from several CCVT security cameras.

The alarming part, though, is just how high off the ground the Tesla looks, with what appears to be a good metre at least of air underneath the body as it shoots through the frame.

Before you head to YouTube to seek the clip out (searching “Airborne Tesla” will probably bring it up), here’s the back story.

The crash happened in the town of Barrie, Ontario on a stretch of road that, according to the local news website, acts as catnip to reckless drivers looking for a little rally action. Now watch the video and witness the people running down the road (out of frame) towards what we can only assume is where the Tesla came to rest. Given the local fury at repeated prangs on the road, we can’t help but wonder if they’re going to the driver’s assistance, or to give him a good thumping.

The 46-year old driver, by the way, was charged with dangerous driving, according to the local news site. He and his female passenger were treated for light injuries: probably could have been worse given the Tesla came to a stop nose-first over 30m down the road in the opposing lane.

What the driver was thinking would happen when he accelerated his low-slung, torqueheavy liftback over what appears to be a steep railway crossing is anyone’s guess. At least he’s still around to tell the tale . . . or to curl into a foetal ball of regret whenever anyone mentions the word Tesla.