Norwegian Driver Fined for Speeding in Tesla on Autopilot
A Tesla driver from Norway was fined for exceeding the speed limit by 40 km/h while relying on the autopilot system. The court found that the man grossly neglected his duty to monitor the road situation. The driver himself claimed that the car did not recognize the speed reduction in the tunnel.
The incident occurred in the Nøstved tunnel, where the speed was temporarily limited to 50 km/h due to repair work. However, the Tesla driver continued to travel at a speed of 90 km/h, for which he was stopped by the police. In court, he tried to appeal the fine, citing the absence of signs and a malfunction of the autopilot system, but to no avail.
The court noted that the driver is obliged to constantly monitor the speed and cannot blindly rely on the vehicle’s technical systems.
Consequences of the Incident
The man was fined 16,500 kroner (about $1,615), ordered to pay court costs, and deprived of his license for 9 months. This case is another reminder that modern driver assistance systems do not relieve him of the responsibility for driving the vehicle.
Such cases are becoming more frequent due to the growing popularity of electric cars with autonomous driving features. Although technologies are improving, they still require constant supervision from the driver. Even in countries with a high level of automation, such as Norway, the courts remain unwavering regarding violations related to over-reliance on technology.